2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Ohio
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among early childhood education schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. 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.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,710. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. Set against $20,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Ohio University Zanesville Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. 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-career early childhood education graduates make about $34,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Ohio University Chillicothe Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $34,983. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Southern Campus one of the best values for early childhood education. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,050. 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.
Stark State College came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 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 Owens Community College generally make around $22,645. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned the #10 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $21,637 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $36,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $39,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,432. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo landed the #15 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,100. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,947. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Salem landed the #16 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,637. Early Childhood Education graduates of Kent State University At Salem earn a median of $25,808 early in their careers. Set against $21,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Otterbein University earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $38,651. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $28,343 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Heidelberg University earned the #19 position for value in early childhood education this year. Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,600. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,637 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $31,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Hiram College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Hiram, Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,397 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,572. That is a strong return on a $27,144 median debt. Hiram College admits about 94% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,050 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $34,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Malone University landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. Students from in state pay about $37,160 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $37,284. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lake Erie College placed #24 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,634 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lake Erie College earn a median of $65,474 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
Ashland University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,852. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
