2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
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2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Delaware County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among early childhood education schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $25,854 early in their careers. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $19,993. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $26,956. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $53,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in early childhood education this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,838 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $30,289. Set against $16,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $47,217 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in early childhood education this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,557. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $44,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $36,248. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg landed the #16 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,966. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,009. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in early childhood education this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $45,145 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,484. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lackawanna College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,400. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,168 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $37,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,168 median debt.
Carlow University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,596. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wilson College landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $34,814. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wilson College generally make around $59,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Gannon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,934. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $44,313. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in early childhood education:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
