2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Wisconsin
[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 23 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 Wisconsin
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
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,384. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,095. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $30,302. That is a strong return on a $21,095 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Wisconsin Technical College one of the best values for early childhood education. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,835 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $27,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Blackhawk Technical College, which ranked #4. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $22,981. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College earned the #6 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,626. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. 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.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $26,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,125. Early Childhood Education graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $23,796 early in their careers. Set against $11,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,112. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,087. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College landed the #12 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $43,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $28,687. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $48,843. That is a strong return on a $28,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Madison Area Technical College placed #15 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,240. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,701. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $38,670. Set against $26,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Marian University Wisconsin earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $72,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Alverno College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,584 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $47,918. That is a strong return on a $30,584 median debt. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $49,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wisconsin Lutheran College admits about 78% of applicants.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,550. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Norbert College landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $49,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
