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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Michigan

11 Colleges in the United States
477 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$43,049 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for early childhood education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in Michigan

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Early Childhood Education

1
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in early childhood education. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 142 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Central Michigan University earn around $45,225 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Central Michigan University

2
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 10 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Oakland University earn around $46,344 in the first couple years of their career. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $29,019 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Oakland University

3
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. About 48% of students finish within six years. Saginaw Valley State University awarded about 10 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Saginaw Valley State University earn around $48,149 in the first couple years of their career. Saginaw Valley State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Saginaw Valley State University

4

University Of Michigan Dearborn is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Dearborn. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Dearborn awarded about 20 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $49,318 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,516. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Michigan Dearborn

5

Western Michigan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 45 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $45,346 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Western Michigan University

6
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University placed #6 among the best early childhood education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 16 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Spring Arbor University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Typical student debt for the program is $28,268. Get the full early childhood education details for Spring Arbor University

7

Muskegon Community College earned the #7 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 31 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Muskegon Community College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,928. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Muskegon Community College

8

Eastern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 60 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Eastern Michigan University earn around $45,174 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $38,634 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Eastern Michigan University

9

Bay Mills Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Brimley. Bay Mills Community College awarded about 63 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Bay Mills Community College

10

Northern Michigan University landed the #10 spot for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Marquette. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Northern Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $39,963. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Northern Michigan University

11

Henry Ford Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Henry Ford Community College awarded about 11 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Henry Ford Community College earn around $17,481 in the first couple years of their career. Henry Ford Community College graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Henry Ford Community College

12
Rochester College crest
Rochester College
Rochester Hills, MI

Rochester College placed #12 among the best early childhood education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 43% of students finish within six years. Rochester College awarded about 38 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Rochester College earn a median of $35,163 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,217. Get the full early childhood education details for Rochester College

13

Mid Michigan Community College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Mid Michigan Community College awarded about 13 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Mid Michigan Community College earn a median of $43,078 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,878. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Mid Michigan Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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