[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1068 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,900. Early Childhood Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,223 early in their careers. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $37,414. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Indian River State College came in at #5 on our 2026 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,492. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,366. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $29,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Miami Dade College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $51,545. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,063. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $46,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Chipola College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #15 among the best values for early childhood education. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $45,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,542. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College placed #19 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Saint Johns River State College landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, with out-of-state students paying around $9,334. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $46,448. That is a strong return on a $12,956 median debt.
Edison State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Students borrow a median of $17,308 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,869. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,705. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in early childhood education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1068 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 291 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
