[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 786 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
Finding the Best Value Early Childhood Education School for You
The early childhood education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,986 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $48,574. That is a strong return on a $10,862 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,296. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,900. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $49,672. That is a strong return on a $19,900 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,750. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $24,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,208. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
College Of The Mainland earned the #9 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $62,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Vista College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $22,352. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #12 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,602. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $27,981. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Miami Dade College landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,967. Early Childhood Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $51,545 early in their careers. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #16 spot for early childhood education value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Centro College placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Palo Alto College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,430. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $25,522 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $33,260 early in their careers. Set against $25,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,506. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $16,902. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 786 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 786 ranked schools only.
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).
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
