by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Utah. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,497. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. 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. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $56,210. That is a strong return on a $18,670 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place 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. Students borrow a median of $16,574 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,279. That is a strong return on a $16,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #5 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,472. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $25,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Brigham Young University Provo landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $13,385 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,475. That is a strong return on a $13,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #7 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,565 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,619. That is a strong return on a $27,565 median debt.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.