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2027 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Ohio

21 Colleges in the United States
790 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$38,968 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.

College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best early childhood education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in Ohio

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

Leading the list is Ohio Northern University, our #1 school for early childhood education. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Ohio Northern University awarded about 12 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Ohio Northern University earn around $56,878 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. See the full early childhood education program report for Ohio Northern University

2

University Of Dayton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 74 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $38,492 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,483. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Dayton

3

Miami University Oxford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 127 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $39,155 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Miami University Oxford

4

Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #4. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $34,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,050. See the full early childhood education program report for Ohio University Main Campus

5
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

A rank of #5 makes Xavier University one of the top schools for early childhood education. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Xavier University earn around $44,364 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Xavier University

6

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #6 among the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 16 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $30,880 in the first couple years of their career. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $11,564 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Cuyahoga Community College District

7
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University earned the #7 position for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Westerville. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 20 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Otterbein University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Otterbein University earn around $38,651 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Otterbein University

8

Heidelberg University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Heidelberg University awarded about 10 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Heidelberg University earn around $42,334 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full early childhood education program report for Heidelberg University

9

Baldwin Wallace College came in at #9 for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Berea. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Baldwin Wallace College awarded about 14 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $37,649 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Baldwin Wallace College

10

University Of Toledo placed #10 among the best early childhood education schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 63 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of Toledo earn around $39,947 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Toledo

11

Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 149 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $31,139 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,637. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Kent State University At Kent

12
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University came in at #12 for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 20 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Capital University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $42,094. Capital University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Capital University

13

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #13 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 18 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $30,102 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,710 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

14

Cleveland State University came in at #14 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cleveland State University awarded about 50 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Cleveland State University earn around $39,226 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Cleveland State University

15
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH

Malone University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Malone University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $37,284 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,956. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Malone University

16

Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #16 for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Zanesville. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Zanesville Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn around $34,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,050. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Ohio University Zanesville Campus

17

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus came in at #17 for early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 12% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Ohio University Chillicothe Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $34,983 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,050 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus

18
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Stark State College awarded about 10 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $42,724 in their early career. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Stark State College

19
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH

Lake Erie College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Painesville. About 38% of students finish within six years. About 28 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Lake Erie College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lake Erie College generally make around $65,474. Lake Erie College graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Lake Erie College

20
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH

Defiance College placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. Defiance College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Defiance. Defiance College graduates 31% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Defiance College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Defiance College generally make around $25,798. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Defiance College

21

Stautzenberger College Maumee earned the #21 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Maumee, Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 29 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Stautzenberger College Maumee in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Stautzenberger College Maumee earn a median of $31,186 early in their careers. Stautzenberger College Maumee graduates carry a median of $21,219 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Stautzenberger College Maumee

View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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