2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,564 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $30,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,564 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Bay Mills Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,492. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $20,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. That is a strong return on a $20,710 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $17,365. Early Childhood Education graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,481 early in their careers. Set against $17,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,928. Early Childhood Education graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gogebic Community College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Gogebic Community College is a small public school located in the town of Ironwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,948. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,301 early in their careers. Set against $13,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #12 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $65,587. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,835 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $27,209. Set against $15,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,095. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $30,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University East came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,866 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $38,610. That is a strong return on a $25,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus landed the #17 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,050. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $34,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $46,344. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #21 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $49,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Southern Campus came in at #22 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus generally make around $34,983. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #23 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $32,810. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $45,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral Technical College placed #24 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $22,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
Narrow Early Childhood Education Schools by State
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 130 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
