[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 255 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,862. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $59,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for early childhood education. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $67,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,916. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $75,423. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #4 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, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,177. That is a strong return on a $12,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $55,002. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $31,366. Set against $12,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $66,012. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $74,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in early childhood education this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $78,501. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $50,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $17,492. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $40,095. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses generally make around $40,450. Set against $40,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University landed the #17 spot for early childhood education value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,670. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $60,559. Set against $18,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $70,256. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western New Mexico University came in at #20 for value in early childhood education this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,425. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Fayetteville State University landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $30,087 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,080. That is a strong return on a $30,087 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Marshall University landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $52,481. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $43,030. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $54,726. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
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 · 255 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 255 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
