ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Florida

18 Colleges in the United States
1,170 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$46,066 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for early childhood education students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 11
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.12), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education / Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education / Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education / Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education / Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Early Childhood Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Early Childhood Education (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Early Childhood Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Child Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Elementary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Elementary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Elementary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Elementary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 8
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 8 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 8
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 7 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in Florida

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

Our analysis ranked University Of South Florida Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in early childhood education. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 21 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,532. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

2

University Of Central Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 80 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $50,686 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of Central Florida

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 14 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $48,506 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Florida

4
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Edison State College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,750. Read more about the early childhood education program at Edison State College

5

A rank of #5 makes Indian River State College one of the top schools for early childhood education. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. There were roughly 18 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $48,612 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full early childhood education program report for Indian River State College

6

Florida International University landed the #6 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 232 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $48,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Florida International University

7

Miami Dade College placed #7 among the best early childhood education schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 61 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Miami Dade College earn around $51,545 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,967. Read more about the early childhood education program at Miami Dade College

8

University Of North Florida came in at #8 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Florida awarded about 43 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of North Florida earn around $48,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of North Florida

9
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #9 spot for early childhood education this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. Nova Southeastern University awarded about 39 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Nova Southeastern University

10

Palm Beach State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. About 25 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $28,641. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $6,725 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Palm Beach State College

11
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College landed the #11 spot for early childhood education this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. There were roughly 13 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at St Petersburg College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from St Petersburg College earn around $49,672 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for St Petersburg College

12
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College landed the #12 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. There were roughly 14 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Polk State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $48,210 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Polk State College

13

College Of Central Florida landed the #13 spot for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Ocala. About 27 early childhood education degrees were awarded at College Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from College Of Central Florida earn around $48,537 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,934. See the full early childhood education program report for College Of Central Florida

14
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College came in at #14 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. About 23 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Daytona State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,869 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,308. Read more about the early childhood education program at Daytona State College

15

Tallahassee Community College placed #15 among the best early childhood education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Tallahassee Community College awarded about 36 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $25,628 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,722. See the full early childhood education program report for Tallahassee Community College

16

Saint Johns River State College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public university. About 18 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Saint Johns River State College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $46,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,956. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Saint Johns River State College

17
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College placed #17 among the best early childhood education schools. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Broward College awarded about 25 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Broward College earn around $51,328 in the first couple years of their career. Broward College graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Broward College

18

Northwest Florida State College earned the #18 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Northwest Florida State College awarded about 17 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Northwest Florida State College earn around $44,340 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Northwest Florida State College

19

Rasmussen College Florida came in at #19 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen College Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. About 292 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Rasmussen College Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $28,188 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,722 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Rasmussen College Florida

20

Florida Gateway College placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Florida Gateway College awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Florida Gateway College graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Florida Gateway College

21

Hillsborough Community College came in at #21 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 15 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Hillsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Hillsborough Community College

22
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University placed #22 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Lynn University awarded about 18 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lynn University generally make around $50,569. Typical student debt for the program is $21,391. Get the full early childhood education details for Lynn University

23

State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota came in at #23 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bradenton. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota awarded about 54 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $50,906 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,360 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota

24

Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #24 spot for early childhood education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $45,008. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Florida State College At Jacksonville

25
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College earned the #25 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public institution. Santa Fe College awarded about 18 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Santa Fe College earn a median of $32,607 early in their careers. Santa Fe College graduates carry a median of $17,558 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Santa Fe College

ADBLOCK #173
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options