2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
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2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Leading the list is Old Dominion University, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,001. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $53,989. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Longwood University one of the best values for early childhood education. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,627. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $54,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Regent University earned it the #5 place for early childhood education. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $31,250. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $33,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $29,249. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $32,945. That is a strong return on a $29,249 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
