2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Iowa
[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 13 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 Iowa
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
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,624. 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 Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Creston earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $48,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,059 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $63,346. Set against $24,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $37,646. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,802. Set against $37,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $41,178. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,995 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,608. Set against $25,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
