2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Nebraska
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Nebraska
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Western Nebraska Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools in Nebraska. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,799 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $24,710. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,750. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peru State College earned it the #4 place for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $37,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Concordia University Seward came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,640. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $47,667. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,852. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Creighton University earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
