2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Georgia
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 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 Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat South Georgia Technical College this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Atlanta Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $21,740 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $34,133. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,936. Early Childhood Education graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,936 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #10 position for value in early childhood education this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $17,619. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $37,936. Set against $15,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,500. Early Childhood Education graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $49,402. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College earned the #16 position for value in early childhood education this year. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Clarkston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valdosta State University earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $48,722 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Columbus State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $55,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $59,279 early in their careers. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
College Of Coastal Georgia placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. College Of Coastal Georgia is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,616, while out-of-state students pay about $10,936. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Coastal Georgia earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $22,670. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $20,979. Set against $22,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta University placed #22 among the best values for early childhood education. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $29,579. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,116. Early Childhood Education graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $21,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia State University came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
