2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Missouri
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Missouri
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 University Of Missouri St Louis, our #1 best value for early childhood education in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,375. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,019 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #3 place for early childhood education. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,676. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Western State University earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $21,352 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $33,695. That is a strong return on a $21,352 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,431. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #7 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,199. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Park University earned the #9 position for value in early childhood education this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Park University generally make around $36,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,500. Early Childhood Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $37,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,892 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Missouri Valley College generally make around $44,318. Set against $27,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Lindenwood University placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $39,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,302. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $31,196. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
Evangel University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $36,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Hannibal Lagrange College earned the #16 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,927. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,068. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Westminster College Missouri ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,214. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,335. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,667. That is a strong return on a $25,335 median debt. Westminster College Missouri admits about 79% of applicants.
Webster University landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
