by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Early Childhood Education involves the study of Early Childhood Education And Teaching. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Students Ranging In Age From Infancy Through Eight Years (Grade Three), Depending On The School System Or State Regulations. Includes Preparation To Teach All Relevant Subject Matter. Examples: [Early Childhood Education (Aa)], [Early Childhood Education (Ba)], [Early Childhood Education (Ma)], [Early Childhood Education (Phd)]. Read on to learn the important information every early childhood education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering early childhood education programs.
Across the country, early childhood education is a popular field of study, with 32,570 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools ranking analyzes these 921 schools to determine the best overall colleges for early childhood education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of early childhood education programs later in this article.
Studies in Early Childhood Education develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations early childhood education graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a early childhood education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a early childhood education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several early childhood education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,075 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,953 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,524 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9,489 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 18 |
People currently working in careers related to early childhood education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Some college courses | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in early childhood education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying early childhood education can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to early childhood education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to early childhood education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of early childhood education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,857 |
| 4 years | $43,846 |
| 5 years | $48,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for early childhood education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers early childhood education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
With 921 different early childhood education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased early childhood education school rankings to help you.
Students interested in early childhood education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
