Best Child Development Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)

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Pennsylvania Child Development At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Child Development Salary $52,519
Salary Outlook Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online child development degree in Pennsylvania offers a flexible path into child development careers. Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Pennsylvania students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Child Development Schools in Pennsylvania

The following schools offer accredited online child development programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Pennsylvania.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
68.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 76%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,727
Avg net price $28,198/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 230

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Westminster College

New Wilmington, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
64.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 69%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,861
Avg net price $19,859/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 42

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Moravian University

Bethlehem, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
62.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 69%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $61,860
Avg net price $30,670/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 80%
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
62.5 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 61%
Graduation rate 86%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $32,875/yr
Tuition
In‑state$20,644
Out‑of‑state$41,790
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 214

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#5

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois

DuBois, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
45.9 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 97%
Graduation rate 31%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $17,428/yr
Tuition
In‑state$14,408
Out‑of‑state$24,134
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 10

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly

Lemont Furnace, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
45.5 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 95%
Graduation rate 36%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $14,596/yr
Tuition
In‑state$14,408
Out‑of‑state$24,134
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 76%
  • Programs offered: 11

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#7

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Erie, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
43.5 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 97%
Graduation rate 45%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $24,558/yr
Tuition
In‑state$15,972
Out‑of‑state$26,958
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 57

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton

Dunmore, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
42.9 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 99%
Graduation rate 35%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $17,910/yr
Tuition
In‑state$15,208
Out‑of‑state$25,392
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 77%
  • Programs offered: 14

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Pennsylvania

Child Development professionals in Pennsylvania experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Pennsylvania.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Pennsylvania)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $36,050
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare $56,380
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $50,820
Childcare Workers $30,140
Special Education Teachers, Preschool $83,510
Social and Human Service Assistants $44,050
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $64,430
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $54,770

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Child Development Degree in Pennsylvania?

Choosing a program in Pennsylvania can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Pennsylvania offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Pennsylvania economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online child development programs in Pennsylvania accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Child Development pay in Pennsylvania compare to other states?

Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Pennsylvania a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for child development in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Pennsylvania. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Child Development Programs by City in Pennsylvania

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Allentown · Altoona · Bethel Park · Bethlehem · Bloomsburg · Butler · Chambersburg · Chester · East Stroudsburg · Easton · Erie · Hanover · Harrisburg · Hazleton · Indiana · Johnstown · Lancaster · Lebanon · Lewistown · Meadville · Milton · Monessen · Monroeville · Mount Pocono · Murrysville · New Castle · Norristown · Philadelphia · Pittsburgh · Plum · Pottstown · Pottsville · Reading · Scranton · Shamokin · State College · Sunbury · Uniontown · Waynesboro · Wilkes-Barre · Williamsport · York


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