2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,862. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $59,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $75,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

3

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for early childhood education. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,100. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $55,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,542. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $66,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,366. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

7

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,213. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $78,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

10

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,063. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $58,388. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

11

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #12 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 Childhood Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

13

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,399. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

14

Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $30,087 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $42,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,087 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #15 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,913 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,995. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $52,885. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

18

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,670. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $60,559. That is a strong return on a $18,670 median debt.

19

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $44,467. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.

22

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #22 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,097. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,299. Set against $19,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $70,256. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

24

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $52,705. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

25

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $45,551 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.