by our College Data Analytics Team
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 110 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat California State University Bakersfield this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the early childhood education program here. 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. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $33,869. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Renton Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $29,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
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California State University San Bernardino came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,566 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $25,177. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $47,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,805 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bates Technical College placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,463. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Clover Park Technical College landed the #11 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #13 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,069. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $19,662 early in their careers. Set against $11,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College earned the #14 position for value in early childhood education this year. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,730. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Skagit Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,056. Early Childhood Education graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College placed #16 among the best values for early childhood education. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,500. Early Childhood Education graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $25,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Honolulu Community College earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,868. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Basin College landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,923, while out-of-state students pay about $11,996. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Great Basin College generally make around $67,461. Set against $17,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt Hood Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,767. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #20 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Olympic College placed #22 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $57,593. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
Centralia College landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Centralia College generally make around $77,740.
Seattle Community College North Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,404 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,500. Early Childhood Education graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.