2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Maine
[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Maine
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 Kennebec Valley Community College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in Maine. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,920. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Maine Community College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Augusta is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,313 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,574. That is a strong return on a $29,313 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Maine Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,869. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,603. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at University Of Maine At Farmington, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,094. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Maine placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $38,924 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Thomas College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $38,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.
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. 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
