2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Alabama

1

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among early childhood education schools in Alabama. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $47,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

2

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

A rank of #2 makes University Of West Alabama one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $54,953. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

Troy University
Troy, AL

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Troy University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of $48,733 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alabama State University earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Located in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,178. Set against $34,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

5

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville State University earned it the #5 place for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,114. Early Childhood Education graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $46,239 early in their careers. Set against $25,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $45,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $47,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL

Spring Hill College landed the #8 spot for early childhood education value this year. Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Mobile
Mobile, AL

University Of Mobile landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the rural area of Mobile, University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,910. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Mobile earn a median of $42,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

11

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $22,250. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,618. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.