2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Associate’s Degree Schools
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
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2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the United States. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,472. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $33,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $23,865. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Stanly Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $32,147 early in their careers.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $11,400. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College placed #7 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $7,788. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $21,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #8 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,129. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,950. Set against $12,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College earned the #9 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #10 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #11 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,069 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #12 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #13 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,497. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College placed #14 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Alamance Community College landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $26,105. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #18 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $20,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College earned the #19 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,949. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #20 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $11,008. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris landed the #21 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #22 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College placed #23 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $28,013.
Stark State College earned the #24 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College came in at #25 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,440, while out-of-state students pay about $2,280. Students borrow a median of $9,986 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year:
Other Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching rankings across degree levels:
View All Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
