by our College Data Analytics Team
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Oglala Lakota College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in South Dakota. Set in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Sinte Gleska University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern State University earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,242 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at South Dakota State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $43,530. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.