2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Wisconsin
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $35,981. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Technical College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. 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. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,876. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $26,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. 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.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the early childhood education program here. 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. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,835 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $27,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $27,548. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #10 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,709. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $22,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,125 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $23,796. Set against $11,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $43,479. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,812. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #15 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,240 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $43,087 early in their careers. Set against $25,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $43,258. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $28,687. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $48,843. That is a strong return on a $28,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Alverno College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,584 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,918. That is a strong return on a $30,584 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,701. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $38,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,701 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College earned the #20 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Wisconsin earned the #21 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,242 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $72,102. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,550. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,298. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $44,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $49,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 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.
