2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 53 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 the Rocky Mountains 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 Eastern Wyoming College, our #1 best value for early childhood education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,335 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Utah Valley University landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,497. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
Morgan Community College placed #7 among the best values for early childhood education. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,746 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $49,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,334 median debt.
Fort Peck Community College placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,365. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Set against $12,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $18,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,670. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salish Kootenai College earned the #16 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #18 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $47,579. That is a strong return on a $20,448 median debt.
Pueblo Community College earned the #19 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $26,812 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $29,749. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,502. Early Childhood Education graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University placed #23 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,574. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $56,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah earned the #24 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,472 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $25,472 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Lewis Clark State College earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $40,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,988 median debt. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
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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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
