2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 175 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,564. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $30,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,564 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay Mills Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
Muskegon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $17,481. Set against $17,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #7 among the best values for early childhood education. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,301. Set against $13,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #9 position for value in early childhood education this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Gateway Technical College placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,410. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,625. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $29,867 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,575. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #14 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $20,710 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. Set against $20,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,485. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #16 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $29,867. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $26,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $21,095 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $30,302 early in their careers. Set against $21,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Governors State University landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,235. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #21 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $27,548. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University East ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,866. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,610. Set against $25,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,443. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,340 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,331. Set against $27,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,835. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $27,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 175 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
