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2023 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education

497 Ranked Colleges
32,920 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child development Schools

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Child development Schools” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 32,920 people earned their degree in early childhood education, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools” ranking looked at 497 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality early childhood education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The child development school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Child development Schools”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Child development Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for child development students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Child development Schools. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 24 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Child development students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full BYU Early Childhood Education Report

2
Urban College of Boston crest
Urban College of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Urban College of Boston. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child development Schools. This small school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 101 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

Urban College of Boston excels when it comes to child development quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Urban College of Boston is $12,714 for child development students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Urban College of Boston Early Childhood Education Report

3
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Governors University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Child development Schools. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WGU is also in the top of our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for WGU is $9,969 for child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at WGU

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 172 students in 2020-2021.

UOPX - Arizona also claimed a top spot on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $13,038 for Child development students.

Full UOPX - Arizona Early Childhood Education Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Child development Schools list. BYU - I is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 37 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $6,698 for child development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at BYU - I

6

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this fairly large public school handed out 58 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

CNM also claimed a top spot on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $3,322 for Child development students per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Early Childhood Education Report

7

Rasmussen University - Florida ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. Rasmussen University - Florida is located in Ocala, Florida and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 641 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Rasmussen University - Florida excels when it comes to child development quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - Florida is $19,249 for child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen University - Florida

8
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

With a ranking of #8, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools list. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 767 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Grand Canyon University also claimed a top spot on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $20,585 for Child development students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Grand Canyon University Early Childhood Education Report

9
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,205 for child development students per year to attend Minot State University.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at MSU

10

University of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for child development students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Early Childhood Education Report

11
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 20% in overall quality
$55,437 Average Early-Career Earnings

Walden University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 316 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Walden University also did well on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Walden University Early Childhood Education Report

12
13
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

Martin Luther College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 23 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, MLC also did well on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Martin Luther College is $22,205 for Child development students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at MLC

14
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 601 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $7,669 for child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Ivy Tech Community College

15

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - River Falls also did well on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Child development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Early Childhood Education Report

16
University of West Alabama crest
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama

University of West Alabama ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. Livingston, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

University of West Alabama excels when it comes to child development quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of West Alabama is $16,747 for Child development students.

Full University of West Alabama Early Childhood Education Report

17

With a ranking of #17, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools list. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 48 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for Child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Missouri State University - Springfield

18
Georgia Military College crest
Georgia Military College
Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Military College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. Georgia Military College is located in Milledgeville, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Military College is $11,029 for child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Georgia Military College

19
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 9 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for Child development students per year to attend WSC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at WSC

20
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

El Centro College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools list. El Centro College is a large public school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 252 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend El Centro College is $4,739 for child development students.

Full El Centro College Early Childhood Education Report

21

With a ranking of #21, Northeast Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools list. Northeast Community College is located in Norfolk, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast is $9,029 for child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Northeast

22

Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 94 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College is $8,721 for Child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Milwaukee Area Technical College

23
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas

South Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking, coming in at #23. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 270 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $1,504 for Child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at South Texas College

24

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for child development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, Saint Paul

25

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 59 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - Whitewater also did well on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at UW - Whitewater

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Child development Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Piedmont College crest
Piedmont College
Demorest, Georgia
28
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
29
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina
30
31
32
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina
33
34
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee
35
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois
35
FVTC crest
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, Wisconsin
35
Cumberlands crest
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky
38
KSU Georgia crest
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
39
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
40
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
41
Holmes Community College crest
Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi
42
43
44
45
46
47
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York
48
49
CGTC crest
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Child development Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
52Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
53Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA
53Gordon CollegeWenham, MA
55Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
56Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
57Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI
58Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
59Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, NC
60Thomas UniversityThomasville, GA
61Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg, PA
62University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL
63Arkansas State University - Main CampusJonesboro, AR
64Camden County CollegeBlackwood, NJ
65University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
RankCollegeLocation
66Utah State UniversityLogan, UT
67Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
68Rasmussen University - IllinoisRockford, IL
69Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
70University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL
71Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN
72Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND
73Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LA
73Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO
75Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee, WI

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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