2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Bachelor’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong kindergarten/preschool education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
For return on investment in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,625 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,886. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $40,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes Western New Mexico University one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,290. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabeth City State University placed #6 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,992. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $13,640. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #8 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $42,973. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Rhode Island College placed #9 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,973 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,973 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Shepherd University placed #10 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,748. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
College Of Micronesia Fsm came in at #11 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Based in Pohnpei, FM, College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,050 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,651 ten years after entry. College Of Micronesia Fsm admits about 87% of applicants.
Kean University placed #12 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $8,450. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #14 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $39,412. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $13,687. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $29,491. That is a strong return on a $13,687 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $21,424 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $36,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #18 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,714 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,594. Set against $24,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Mississippi Valley State University came in at #19 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $53,054 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #21 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #22 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,655 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $41,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
New Mexico Highlands University earned the #23 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $41,352. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #24 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,763. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,789. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
East Carolina University came in at #25 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
