2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Louisiana

[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 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 Louisiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Leading the list is Louisiana State University Shreveport, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Louisiana. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $48,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University Alexandria earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $40,820. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of New Orleans came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,514 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. That is a strong return on a $24,514 median debt. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Mcneese State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $42,694 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Louisiana Monroe earned it the #5 place for early childhood education. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,003 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $47,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,013. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $46,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,600 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,143. That is a strong return on a $23,600 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Students borrow a median of $23,662 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $46,549. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,502 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $44,154. Set against $24,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #10 for value in early childhood education this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $48,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.