2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in California
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for early childhood education in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for early childhood education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $47,473. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,566. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $25,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,805. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $30,232. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #8 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,202. 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. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $29,055. That is a strong return on a $15,150 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in early childhood education this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $12,692 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $56,041 early in their careers. Set against $12,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
College Of The Desert landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $7,826 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $41,295. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Students borrow a median of $40,095 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses generally make around $40,450. Set against $40,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Chico earned the #16 position for value in early childhood education this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,591. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,090. Early Childhood Education graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $22,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #18 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $37,946. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Columbia College Sonora earned the #19 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Set against $13,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #20 for value in early childhood education this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
United States University came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,108. Students borrow a median of $32,641 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $120,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William Jessup University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Students borrow a median of $20,718 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from William Jessup University generally make around $46,461. Set against $20,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $34,575 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $35,426. That is a strong return on a $34,575 median debt.
California Baptist University landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,717. Set against $31,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,094. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. That is a strong return on a $26,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
