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Early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania

13 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these early childhood education programs, and Pennsylvania has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.1 The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.2

In Pennsylvania, 12 of the 13 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 13 programs here are child care or preschool certificate (6 programs), CDA (Child Development Associate) course (4 programs) and early childhood education (associate degree, 3 programs).

See the 13 programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in Pennsylvania?

$3,105 to $8,500 is what most early childhood programs in Pennsylvania cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $1,575 to $24,324

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Left out
Pennsylvania's rates sit far below every other state's
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
30 to 60 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Pennsylvania may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 early childhood programs in Pennsylvania approved for WIOA funding

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13 programs

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Early Education & Child Development Associate Degree

    Community College Allegheny County

    Pittsburgh

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Community College Allegheny County, PittsburghEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$33,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,355
    Program website, Early Education & Child Development Associate Degree at Community College Allegheny County
    More details about Early Education & Child Development Associate Degree at Community College Allegheny County
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,370
    Length
    60 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,100
    Students counted
    89
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,355
    Program website, Early Education & Child Development Associate Degree at Community College Allegheny County

  • Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Child Care Diploma

    Community College Allegheny County

    Based in Pittsburgh, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Allegheny County, based in Pittsburgh, PAChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,575
    Program website, Child Care Diploma at Community College Allegheny County
    More details about Child Care Diploma at Community College Allegheny County
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $450
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,575
    Program website, Child Care Diploma at Community College Allegheny County

  • Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Child Development Certificate

    Community College Allegheny County

    Based in Pittsburgh, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Allegheny County, based in Pittsburgh, PAChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,105
    Program website, Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    More details about Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $900
    Students counted
    28
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,105
    Program website, Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County

  • CDA (Child Development Associate) courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Child Development Associate

    Community College Of Beaver County

    Based in Monaca, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Of Beaver County, based in Monaca, PACDA (Child Development Associate) course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,187
    Program website, Child Development Associate at Community College Of Beaver County
    More details about Child Development Associate at Community College Of Beaver County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,187
    Program website, Child Development Associate at Community College Of Beaver County

  • CDA (Child Development Associate) courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA)

    Lehigh Carbon Community College

    Schnecksville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lehigh Carbon Community College, SchnecksvilleCDA (Child Development Associate) course · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,000
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA) at Lehigh Carbon Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA) at Lehigh Carbon Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $600
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,000
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA) at Lehigh Carbon Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Children with Special Needs Certificate

    Community College Allegheny County

    Based in Pittsburgh, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Allegheny County, based in Pittsburgh, PAChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,105
    Program website, Children with Special Needs Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    More details about Children with Special Needs Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $900
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,105
    Program website, Children with Special Needs Certificate at Community College Allegheny County

  • CDA (Child Development Associate) courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood - Child Development Associate - Certificate

    Westmoreland County

    Based in Youngwood, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Westmoreland County, based in Youngwood, PACDA (Child Development Associate) course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,360
    Program website, Early Childhood - Child Development Associate - Certificate at Westmoreland County
    More details about Early Childhood - Child Development Associate - Certificate at Westmoreland County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    45 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $875
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,360
    Program website, Early Childhood - Child Development Associate - Certificate at Westmoreland County

  • Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education- Certificate

    Westmoreland County

    Based in Youngwood, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Westmoreland County, based in Youngwood, PAChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,200
    Program website, Early Childhood Education- Certificate at Westmoreland County
    More details about Early Childhood Education- Certificate at Westmoreland County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $975
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,200
    Program website, Early Childhood Education- Certificate at Westmoreland County

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Education & Child Development Certificate

    Community College Allegheny County

    Pittsburgh

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Allegheny County, PittsburghChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,156
    Program website, Early Education & Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    More details about Early Education & Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,156
    Program website, Early Education & Child Development Certificate at Community College Allegheny County

  • CDA (Child Development Associate) courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Child Development Associate (CDA)

    Learn Empower Grow Consulting Group

    Philadelphia

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Learn Empower Grow Consulting Group, PhiladelphiaCDA (Child Development Associate) courseHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,000
    Program website, Child Development Associate (CDA) at Learn Empower Grow Consulting Group
    More details about Child Development Associate (CDA) at Learn Empower Grow Consulting Group
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    20 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,000
    Program website, Child Development Associate (CDA) at Learn Empower Grow Consulting Group

  • Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education

    Somerset County Technology Center

    Based in Somerset, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Somerset County Technology Center, based in Somerset, PAChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$8,500
    More details about Early Childhood Education at Somerset County Technology Center
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    38 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $878
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,500

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education AAS

    Westmoreland County

    Based in Youngwood, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Westmoreland County, based in Youngwood, PAEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$14,986
    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Westmoreland County
    More details about Early Childhood Education AAS at Westmoreland County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,400
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,986
    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Westmoreland County

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    AS in Preschool Education

    Pennsylvania Western University

    Based in Edinboro, PA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pennsylvania Western University, based in Edinboro, PAEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$24,324
    Program website, AS in Preschool Education at Pennsylvania Western University
    More details about AS in Preschool Education at Pennsylvania Western University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    65 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $16,189
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $24,324
    Program website, AS in Preschool Education at Pennsylvania Western University

How to pay for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
14th of 33
early childhood programs here, against the typical state's 8
13 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the early childhood education programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Early childhood education programs in Pittsburgh, Allentown, Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 9 programs are online.

Other training in Pennsylvania

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in Pennsylvania

Where the Pennsylvania early childhood education program numbers come from

Which Pennsylvania early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs Pennsylvania approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Pennsylvania offers.

How the prices and results of Pennsylvania early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Pennsylvania figures?

We leave out the share working 6 months later for Pennsylvania: its rates sit far below every other state's, and the counts suggest jobs were traced only for students whose training was publicly paid.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
  2. Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List