by our College Data Analytics Team
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Salish Kootenai College tops our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools in Montana. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, while out-of-state students pay about $11,583. Early Childhood Education graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Montana Western one of the best values for early childhood education. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $23,269 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,880 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $39,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Montana State University one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $37,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.