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2027 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois

22 Colleges in the United States
1,305 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$46,209 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their early childhood education programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools to find the best for early childhood education students.

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Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Early Childhood Education

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in early childhood education. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 46 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $50,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $65,587 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 147 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,898 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Illinois State University

4

Northern Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 75 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,214 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Northern Illinois University

5

Northeastern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $51,301 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Northeastern Illinois University

6
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #6 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 94 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Lewis University

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #7 spot for early childhood education this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 38 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $49,111. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Depaul University

8
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 81 early childhood education degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from College Of Dupage

9

Concordia University Chicago ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $51,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Concordia University Chicago

10

Elgin Community College came in at #10 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 51 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $43,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Elgin Community College

11

Roosevelt University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $56,418 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Roosevelt University

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 28 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $39,496 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,944. Get the full early childhood education details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

13

Bradley University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $43,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Bradley University

14
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Park. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Governors State University earn around $45,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the early childhood education program at Governors State University

15

Saint Xavier University came in at #15 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 24 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $49,526 in their early career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Saint Xavier University

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #16 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 38 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $38,830 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

17

National Louis University landed the #17 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 424 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $47,995 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $42,172. Read more about the early childhood education program at National Louis University

18
Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL

Erikson Institute landed the #18 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Erikson Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. About 46 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Erikson Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Erikson Institute earn around $53,630 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full early childhood education details for Erikson Institute

19
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. Rockford College awarded about 16 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $38,867 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Rockford College

20
Blackburn College crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL

Blackburn College placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Carlinville, Blackburn College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 14 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Blackburn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Blackburn College generally make around $33,739. Typical student debt for the program is $25,255. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Blackburn College

21

Chicago State University came in at #21 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. About 18 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Chicago State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Students borrow a median of $53,774 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Chicago State University

22

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #22 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 16 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn around $31,807 in the first couple years of their career. Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College

View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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