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 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 72 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Northeast Community College this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,799 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $24,710. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,507. Early Childhood Education graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $32,676 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oglala Lakota College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Chadron State College placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mayville State University landed the #11 spot for early childhood education value this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $45,438. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #12 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,178. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #13 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,126. Early Childhood Education graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,823 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,425. That is a strong return on a $25,823 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #15 among the best values for early childhood education. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $43,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College placed #16 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $37,072. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #18 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $40,580. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $26,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #24 among the best values for early childhood education. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.