2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
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2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
Reading Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,651 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Towson University one of the best values for child development. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,500. Child Development graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for child development. 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, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,817 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Bowie State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $34,257. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #6 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,057 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $33,375. That is a strong return on a $26,057 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Lackawanna College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $37,408. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $34,030. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #9 for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $25,296 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $56,450. Set against $25,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College placed #10 among the best values for child development. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $32,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,057 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $33,375. Set against $26,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
