2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Master’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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 160 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked Western New Mexico University the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the United States. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. 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. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $44,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #3. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Pembroke one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $48,525. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
New Jersey City University came in at #6 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $62,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kean University placed #7 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. 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 $67,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #8 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Western Carolina University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,714 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,594. That is a strong return on a $24,714 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Worcester State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #11 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,001. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #12 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,763. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,267. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University earned the #13 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Mississippi Valley State University placed #14 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. Students from in state pay about $7,692 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Winston Salem State University came in at #15 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $43,077. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $15,611. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $44,048. Set against $15,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,655. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $54,281. That is a strong return on a $24,655 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Frostburg State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Emporia State University landed the #19 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,976 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $51,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,976 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #21 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $59,627. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #22 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,598 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,934. That is a strong return on a $21,598 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #23 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $48,022 early in their careers. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Oregon University came in at #24 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,906 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $28,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #25 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,500. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,754. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 41 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
Explore the best-value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools at other degree levels:
View All Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
