2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Washington

1

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Our analysis ranked Lake Washington Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in early childhood education in Washington. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Renton Technical College
Renton, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Renton Technical College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. 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, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,582. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.

3

Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA

Bates Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.

4

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Peninsula College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Falls Community College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $25,777 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Centralia College
Centralia, WA

Centralia College placed #8 among the best values for early childhood education. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

9

Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College came in at #10 for value in early childhood education this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla, WA

Walla Walla Community College placed #11 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Lower Columbia College
Longview, WA

Lower Columbia College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Longview. Students from in state pay about $4,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,003. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,340 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $53,280. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Seattle Community College North Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $13,404 median debt.

14

South Puget Sound Community College
Olympia, WA

South Puget Sound Community College came in at #14 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Community College earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,732. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.

16

Whatcom Community College
Bellingham, WA

Whatcom Community College came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,588. Early Childhood Education graduates of Whatcom Community College earn a median of $51,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,365 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $55,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,432. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $28,118. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Yakima Valley Community College
Yakima, WA

Yakima Valley Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,873. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $49,625. That is a strong return on a $14,649 median debt.

20

Everett Community College
Everett, WA

Everett Community College came in at #20 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.

21

Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee, WA

Wenatchee Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,552, with out-of-state students paying around $5,054. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,462. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wenatchee Valley College earn a median of $55,642 early in their careers. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

Highline Community College placed #22 among the best values for early childhood education. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $55,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Big Bend Community College
Moses Lake, WA

Big Bend Community College came in at #23 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,059, while out-of-state students pay about $5,619. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,662 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Heritage University
Toppenish, WA

Heritage University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,928. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $20,049 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $67,426. That is a strong return on a $20,049 median debt.