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2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s

155 Ranked Colleges
3,475 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Child development Schools for a Master's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 31,017 people earned their degree in early childhood education, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,475 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s” ranking looked at 155 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality early childhood education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The child development school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree child development students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Early Childhood Education

#1

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
Top 20% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. Northwestern College is located in Orange City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

NWC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern College are $6,340, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Northwestern College

#2

Gordon College

Wenham, Massachusetts
#24 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Gordon College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s. Located in Wenham, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified masters’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Gordon College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Gordon College are $6,400.

Full Gordon College Early Childhood Education Report

#3

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 155 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 23 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 450 degrees to qualified masters’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Grand Canyon University

#5

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Out of the 155 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #5 spot on the list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 28 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Early Childhood Education Report

#6

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Worcester State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. Worcester State University is a public institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Worcester State are $5,796, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Worcester State

Concordia University, Nebraska came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking. Concordia University, Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seward, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Concordia University, Nebraska Early Childhood Education Report

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FHU are $10,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Freed-Hardeman University

#9

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 53 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Liberty University

#10

Piedmont College

Demorest, Georgia
Top 25% in overall quality

Piedmont College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Demorest, Georgia, and it awarded 170 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Piedmont College are $10,660.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Piedmont College

#11

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #11. Fitchburg State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It awarded 8 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fitchburg State are $6,012.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Fitchburg State University

#12

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 25% in overall quality

Walden University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 197 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Walden University

#13

Thomas University

Thomasville, Georgia

With a ranking of #13, Thomas University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. TU is a small school located in Thomasville, Georgia that handed out 36 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Thomas University are $12,520, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Thomas University

#14

University of West Alabama

Livingston, Alabama

University of West Alabama landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of West Alabama is a public institution located in Livingston, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of West Alabama are $13,546, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of West Alabama Early Childhood Education Report

#15

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #15. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 67 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Capella University

#16

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
Top 20% in overall quality

National Louis University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, NLU also did well on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096.

Full National Louis University Early Childhood Education Report

#17

Hunter College

New York, New York
#7 in overall quality

Hunter College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking. Hunter College is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 58 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Hunter did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Hunter

#18

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#15 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #15 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at University of North Dakota

#19

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #19. North Park is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full North Park Early Childhood Education Report

#20

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and it awarded 6 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bridgewater State are $11,397, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Bridgewater State University

#21

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #21. Salem, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Salem State University are $10,477, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Salem State University

#22

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts
Top 20% in overall quality

American International College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 45 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, AIC is also in the top of our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at American International College are $12,717, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at American International College

#23

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Ruston, Louisiana, and it awarded 10 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana Tech are $12,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Louisiana Tech University

#24

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

With a ranking of #24, University of North Alabama did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. UNA is a medium-sized school located in Florence, Alabama that handed out 5 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNA are $13,860.

Full University of North Alabama Early Childhood Education Report

#25

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia

With a ranking of #25, Columbus State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Columbus, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified masters’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $13,264, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSU Early Childhood Education Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Vgrigas.

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