2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Michigan

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,607. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $14,607 median debt.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $17,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Bay Mills Community College
Brimley, MI

Bay Mills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Bay Mills Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Brimley. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,048 ten years after entry.

4

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Muskegon Community College earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,928. Early Childhood Education graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

Southwestern Michigan College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.

6

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,516. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,318. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

7

Mid Michigan Community College
Harrison, MI

Mid Michigan Community College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,132, compared with $10,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,878 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,078. Set against $18,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,344. Set against $29,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $32,810 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $45,200. Set against $32,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

11

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $45,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #12 spot for early childhood education value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $48,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

13

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $38,634. Early Childhood Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,174 early in their careers. Set against $38,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

14

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University came in at #14 for value in early childhood education this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,896 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,984. That is a strong return on a $26,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

15

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $30,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $39,963 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $31,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

17

Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College Michigan earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,218. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,713. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

Rochester College
Rochester Hills, MI

Rochester College earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,196. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,217. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Rochester College generally make around $35,163. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. Rochester College admits about 98% of applicants.

19

Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University placed #19 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $28,268 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

20

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University came in at #20 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $44,501 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

21

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

22

Concordia University Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.