by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 113 U.S. colleges awarded 1,691 degrees and certificates in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing, rising to $51,285 after four years.
Studying Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching involves the study of Kindergarten/preschool Education And Teaching. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Students In Formal Settings Prior To Beginning Regular Elementary School, Usually Ranging In Age From Three To Six Years (Or Grade One), Depending On The School System Or State Regulations. Includes Preparation To Teach All Relevant Subject Matter.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching is a widely-pursued major, with 1,691 degrees awarded annually. 113 colleges award kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees, an average of 15 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 92.
By level, the 1,691 awards include 17 certificates, 398 associate degrees, 702 bachelor’s degrees, 573 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 97% of kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,643 of 1,691). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (816) and Black or African American (373), and international students earned 18.
College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools ranking, including 20 for associate degrees, 29 for bachelor’s degrees and 14 for master’s degrees. It also ranks kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools within 15 states. In all, 113 colleges offer kindergarten/preschool education & teaching programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common kindergarten/preschool education & teaching credential is the bachelor’s degree: 702 of the 1,691 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching call most for Speaking, Instructing and Learning Strategies, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 398 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 702 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 573 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, at 33.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 33.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.8% |
| Master’s degree | 11.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching, with an average median salary of $87,152; the strongest outlook belongs to Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, at 6.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Instructor, Educator, Early Childhood Teacher and Montessori Teacher.
The occupation related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching with the most projected jobs is Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, at 1,457,958.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing their program, $51,285 after four years and $48,771 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,824 |
| 4 years | $51,285 |
| 5 years | $48,771 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, with a median salary of $99,352.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching has 12 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 107,133 degrees a year; the largest are Elementary Education and Teaching (42,620), Early Childhood Education and Teaching (33,737) and Secondary Education and Teaching (10,793). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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