2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
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2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Texas
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 College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $24,507. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $25,385. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. 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.
Northwest Vista College placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $22,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,430. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $5,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Grayson College placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College earned the #10 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Midland College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,623. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,785 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.
North Central Texas College came in at #14 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $16,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #16 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,125. Early Childhood Education graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College landed the #17 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College came in at #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $8,600. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College earned the #19 position for value in early childhood education this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,302. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $10,860. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,099. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Weatherford College generally make around $48,208. That is a strong return on a $14,099 median debt.
Tyler Junior College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texarkana College placed #23 among the best values for early childhood education. Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,686. Early Childhood Education graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. Set against $11,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $20,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
