2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,900. Early Childhood Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,223 early in their careers. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $37,414. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

5

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,492. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,366. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $29,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $51,545. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL

Florida Gateway College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,063. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $46,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

13

Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

15

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #15 among the best values for early childhood education. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

16

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $45,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,542. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

Northwest Florida State College
Niceville, FL

Northwest Florida State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

South Florida State College
Avon Park, FL

South Florida State College placed #19 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.

20

Saint Johns River State College
Palatka, FL

Saint Johns River State College landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, with out-of-state students paying around $9,334. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $46,448. That is a strong return on a $12,956 median debt.

21

Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Students borrow a median of $17,308 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,869. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Early Childhood Education 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.

25

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,705. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.