2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Essex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $23,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at County College Of Morris, which ranked #3. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $53,054. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Kean University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,999. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
New Jersey City University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $47,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University landed the #9 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $47,217. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #11 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $37,833. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Bowie State University placed #12 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $28,474. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $52,619. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill admits about 84% of applicants.
Stevenson University landed the #14 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Students borrow a median of $26,887 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $52,395. That is a strong return on a $26,887 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $56,617. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Chestnut Hill College earned the #16 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,870. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $45,627. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Catholic University Of America came in at #17 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $65,120. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Adelphi University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. That is a strong return on a $25,487 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Felician College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,300. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Felician College generally make around $56,976. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.