2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools

1

New York University
New York, NY

No school ranked higher than New York University this year for early childhood education. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $54,901. Typical student debt for the program is $19,455. See the full early childhood education program report for New York University

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $52,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for James Madison University

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 376 early childhood education degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University Northridge

4

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. About 56 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $42,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Collin County Community College District

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong early childhood education program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $45,459 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,646 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Purdue University Main Campus

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 19 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,601. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware earned the #7 position for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $48,587 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of Delaware

8

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University landed the #8 spot for early childhood education this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Christian University awarded about 60 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Texas Christian University earn around $55,814 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,287 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Texas Christian University

9

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College earned the #9 position for early childhood education this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. About 29 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Anne Arundel Community College

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 46 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $65,587. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University landed the #11 spot for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 114 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Illinois State University

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #12 among the best early childhood education schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 170 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in early childhood education from San Jose State University

13

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #13 among the best early childhood education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 66 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Typical student debt for the program is $18,591. Get the full early childhood education details for California State University Chico

14

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #14 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 63 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $56,953 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Towson University

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,402 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,375. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Arizona State University

16

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island placed #16 among the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 13 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,363 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $24,026 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Rhode Island

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $52,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,995. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of South Florida Main Campus

18

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #18 among the best early childhood education schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 349 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $49,907 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from California State University Sacramento

19

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #19 for early childhood education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 183 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of Georgia earn around $59,279 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,229. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Georgia

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 230 early childhood education degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Read more about the early childhood education program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

21

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #21 for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $55,555 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,548. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Hawaii At Manoa

22

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 early childhood education degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $63,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for George Mason University

23

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District earned the #23 position for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Tarrant County College District awarded about 62 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $24,507 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Tarrant County College District

24

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #24 spot for early childhood education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 80 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $50,686 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of Central Florida

25

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey came in at #25 for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 12 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $58,526 in the first couple years of their career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at The College Of New Jersey