2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 133 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,928. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,708. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $22,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $16,902. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,417. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,485. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,385. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Palo Alto College came in at #7 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,430. Early Childhood Education graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in early childhood education this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,323. Early Childhood Education graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,284. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Yavapai College placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #18 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,635. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Northern New Mexico College landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
Central Texas College placed #24 among the best values for early childhood education. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,290. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navajo Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Crownpoint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,498. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,364 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
