2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in California

1

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

No school ranked higher than California State University Northridge this year for early childhood education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 376 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at California State University Northridge

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for early childhood education. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 170 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full early childhood education program report for San Jose State University

3

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. About 66 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,591. Read more about the early childhood education program at California State University Chico

4

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 349 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $49,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492. Get the full early childhood education details for California State University Sacramento

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for a strong early childhood education program will find one at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $51,463 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for California State University Fresno

6

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield landed the #6 spot for early childhood education this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 160 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent year. See the full early childhood education program report for California State University Bakersfield

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #7 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 12 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,566. Get the full early childhood education details for California State University San Bernardino

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #8 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 207 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $56,041 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,692. Read more about the early childhood education program at San Francisco State University

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for early childhood education this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 173 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for San Diego State University

10

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. There were roughly 36 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $52,216 in their early career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

11

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for early childhood education this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 504 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $47,473 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at California State University Fullerton

12

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #12 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. About 67 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University Stanislaus earn around $30,232 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,805. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University Stanislaus

13

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #13 among the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 50 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $22,293 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $18,090 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

14

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #14 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 370 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $31,366 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University Los Angeles

15

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #15 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 228 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $29,840 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University Dominguez Hills

16

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos came in at #16 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University San Marcos earn around $29,055 in the first couple years of their career. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $15,150 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University San Marcos

17

American Jewish University
Los Angeles, CA

American Jewish University placed #17 among the best early childhood education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 49 early childhood education degrees were awarded at American Jewish University in the most recent year. See the full early childhood education program report for American Jewish University

18

National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 142 early childhood education degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $50,336 in their early career. National University graduates carry a median of $33,989 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from National University

19

College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert landed the #19 spot for early childhood education this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. About 385 early childhood education degrees were awarded at College Of The Desert in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from College Of The Desert earn around $41,295 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,826. See the full early childhood education program report for College Of The Desert

20

Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA

Pacific Oaks College placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 62 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Pacific Oaks College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Pacific Oaks College generally make around $49,118. Typical student debt for the program is $35,500. See the full early childhood education program report for Pacific Oaks College

21

Columbia College Sonora
Sonora, CA

Columbia College Sonora earned the #21 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 16 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Sonora in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Columbia College Sonora

22

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #22 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 55 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,250. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California Baptist University

23

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University came in at #23 for early childhood education this year. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. About 606 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Ashford University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $34,575 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Ashford University