2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Our analysis ranked Essex County College the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $23,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Delaware Technical Community College Terry, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $8,450. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $25,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.

4

County College Of Morris
Randolph, NJ

A rank of #4 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. 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, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $60,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University earned the #6 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $74,837. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

7

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $53,054 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

8

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University placed #8 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #9 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

10

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #10 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University earned the #11 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $52,619. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

13

Keystone College
La Plume, PA

Keystone College placed #13 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Plume. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $28,226 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Keystone College earn a median of $33,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.

14

Long Island University C W Post Campus
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #14 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. 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. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.

15

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey earned the #15 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

16

Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University landed the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,887. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.

17

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.

18

Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College landed the #18 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $45,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.