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2027 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Southeast Region

144 Colleges in the United States
6,124 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$41,729 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 144 schools to find the best for early childhood education students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in the Southeast Region

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
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University tops our 2027 ranking of the best early childhood education schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from James Madison University earn around $52,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. See the full early childhood education program report for James Madison University

2

University Of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 217 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $59,279 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,229. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of Georgia

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,532. Typical student debt for the program is $20,995. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 11 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of Florida earn around $48,506 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of Florida

5

George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from George Mason University

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 112 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $37,424 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

7

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #7 spot for early childhood education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Typical student debt for the program is $19,489. Read more about the early childhood education program at Florida Gulf Coast University

8

University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $50,686. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Central Florida

9

Miami Dade College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 69 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $51,545. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Miami Dade College

10

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #10 spot for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $48,142. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

11

Florida International University placed #11 among the best early childhood education schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 190 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $48,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Florida International University

12

Indian River State College came in at #12 for early childhood education this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. There were roughly 18 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $48,612 in their early career. Indian River State College graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Indian River State College

13
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #13 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 66 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $41,080 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,783 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Clemson University

14
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #14 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Auburn University earn around $47,618 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Auburn University

15

University Of North Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Florida awarded about 45 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of North Florida earn around $48,255 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,097. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of North Florida

16
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of St. Petersburg. St Petersburg College awarded about 11 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,900. More information about a degree in early childhood education from St Petersburg College

17

University Of North Georgia earned the #17 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of North Georgia graduates 50% of students within six years. About 23 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of North Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of North Georgia earn around $49,402 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of North Georgia

18
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University earned the #18 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 26 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,021. Read more about the early childhood education program at Nova Southeastern University

19

College Of Central Florida landed the #19 spot for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Ocala. About 28 early childhood education degrees were awarded at College Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,537 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,934 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at College Of Central Florida

20

Palm Beach State College placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Palm Beach State College awarded about 12 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $28,641. Students borrow a median of $6,725 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Palm Beach State College

21
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College earned the #21 position for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Daytona State College awarded about 11 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,869 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,308 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Daytona State College

22

Georgia State University came in at #22 for early childhood education this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $53,265 in their early career. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Georgia State University

23

Tennessee Technological University landed the #23 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 21 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $39,034 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,566. Read more about the early childhood education program at Tennessee Technological University

24

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #24 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 61 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $43,172 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

25

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #25 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 17 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $42,657 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full early childhood education details for Middle Tennessee State University

Rest of the Top 50 Early Childhood Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA
44
45
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
46
47
48
49
50

View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 144 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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