by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 911 U.S. colleges awarded 33,737 degrees and certificates in Early Childhood Education. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 542 schools in its 2027 Best Early Childhood Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing, rising to $51,285 after four years.
A degree in Early Childhood Education involves the study of Early Childhood Education And Teaching. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Students Ranging In Age From Infancy Through Eight Years (Grade Three), Depending On The School System Or State Regulations. Includes Preparation To Teach All Relevant Subject Matter. Examples: [Early Childhood Education (Aa)], [Early Childhood Education (Ba)], [Early Childhood Education (Ma)], [Early Childhood Education (Phd)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, early childhood education is a popular field of study, with 33,737 degrees awarded annually. 911 colleges award early childhood education degrees, an average of 37 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,109.
By level, the 33,737 awards include 2,074 certificates, 7,321 associate degrees, 12,782 bachelor’s degrees, 9,900 master’s degrees and 22 doctorates.
Women earned 96% of early childhood education degrees and certificates in the latest year (32,397 of 33,737). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (15,590) and Hispanic or Latino (8,944), and international students earned 476.
College Factual ranks 542 schools in its 2027 Best Early Childhood Education Schools ranking, including 194 for associate degrees, 277 for bachelor’s degrees and 134 for master’s degrees. It also ranks early childhood education schools within 47 states. In all, 911 colleges offer early childhood education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Early Childhood Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common early childhood education credential is the bachelor’s degree: 12,782 of the 33,737 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to early childhood education call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an early childhood education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,074 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7,321 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,782 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9,900 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to early childhood education, at 32.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Some college courses | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Early Childhood Education, with an average median salary of $87,160; the strongest outlook belongs to Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education, at 9.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Educator, Instructor, Teacher and Montessori Teacher.
The occupation related to early childhood education with the most projected jobs is Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, at 1,457,958.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
Early Childhood Education graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing their program, $51,285 after four years and $48,771 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,824 |
| 4 years | $51,285 |
| 5 years | $48,771 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to early childhood education, with a median salary of $99,352.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
Early Childhood Education has 12 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 75,087 degrees a year; the largest are Elementary Education and Teaching (42,620), Secondary Education and Teaching (10,793) and Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (9,261). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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