2027 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.
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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
Our analysis ranked Western New Mexico University the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the United States. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,425. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $44,388. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elizabeth City State University earned it the #3 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,886. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $43,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #6 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Rhode Island College landed the #7 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,973 in student loans. 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.
Kean University earned the #8 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $47,030. That is a strong return on a $21,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #10 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #11 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,714 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Set against $24,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #12 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $54,281. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University earned the #13 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,001. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University placed #14 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $30,000. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $43,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,763 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,267. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #16 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $44,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.
East Carolina University landed the #17 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,022. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $49,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgia State University landed the #19 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,750. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,103. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Norfolk State University landed the #20 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University came in at #21 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $31,880. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $46,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #22 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,976 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,665. That is a strong return on a $23,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Arizona landed the #23 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,808. That is a strong return on a $18,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #24 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,598 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,934. Set against $21,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University placed #25 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,000. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,798. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value ranking:
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), 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
