2026 Best Child development Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Child development programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for child development students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Child development in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the child development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Child development
Our analysis ranked Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary the best school in the country for a degree in child development. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 child development students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn around $48,472 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857.
Read more about the child development program at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Towson University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Towson University awarded about 18 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child development program at Towson University
Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at Saint Bonaventure University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 10 child development students who graduated with this degree at Saint Bonaventure University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University generally make around $43,190. Saint Bonaventure University graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans.
Get the full child development details for Saint Bonaventure University
A rank of #4 makes Bowie State University one of the top schools for child development. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bowie State University awarded about 30 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $34,257 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,125.
More information about a degree in child development from Bowie State University
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 child development degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $30,675. Typical student debt for the program is $26,817.
Get the full child development details for Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #6 among the best child development schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. About 49 child development degrees were awarded at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $28,078 in their early career. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $9,651 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for Community College Of Allegheny County
Reading Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Reading. About 15 child development degrees were awarded at Reading Area Community College in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Reading Area Community College graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child development from Reading Area Community College
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.
- 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.