2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in District of Columbia
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in District of Columbia
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
Trinity Washington University tops our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $64,890 early in their careers. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The District Of Columbia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $32,304. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $71,998. Set against $32,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from American University generally make around $59,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
