2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Maine

[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 6 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Kennebec Valley Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools in Maine. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,920. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $25,484. That is a strong return on a $9,920 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at University Of Maine At Augusta, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,574. That is a strong return on a $29,313 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Maine Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,869 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,603. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Farmington earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Students borrow a median of $26,094 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Maine At Farmington earn a median of $38,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Thomas College earn a median of $38,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.