2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the New England Region
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for early childhood education in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $27,981. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,129. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $28,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,893. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,940. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $7,788. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $21,738. Set against $7,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $5,881. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $28,769. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $25,484. Set against $9,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $29,811. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Holyoke Community College placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,235. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $31,901. That is a strong return on a $18,235 median debt.
Community College Of Vermont earned the #12 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Students borrow a median of $10,357 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $31,610. That is a strong return on a $10,357 median debt.
Berkshire Community College earned the #13 position for value in early childhood education this year. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,712, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,167. Early Childhood Education graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Maine Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College came in at #15 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $42,119. Set against $27,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University came in at #16 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $25,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fitchburg State University landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,813. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,215. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Charter Oak State College landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,313 median debt.
Framingham State University earned the #21 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $49,006. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Students borrow a median of $26,094 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Maine At Farmington earn a median of $38,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,094 median debt. University Of Maine At Farmington admits about 97% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #23 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Granite State College earned the #24 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,522 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $55,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgewater State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
Narrow Early Childhood Education Schools by State
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
