by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Luna Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,474, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Luna Community College generally make around $32,091.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico Junior College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. Students from in state pay about $1,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $2,280. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. Set against $9,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Western New Mexico University, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Students borrow a median of $15,568 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $46,400. That is a strong return on a $15,568 median debt.
New Mexico Highlands University earned the #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $41,352 early in their careers. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. 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 $41,490. Set against $18,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $43,892. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.