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

15 Colleges in the United States
337 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$41,600 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their early childhood education programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools to find the best for early childhood education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in South Carolina

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
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Leading the list is Clemson University, our #1 school for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $41,080 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $25,783 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Clemson University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the top schools for early childhood education. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 46 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $43,172. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

3
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. College Of Charleston awarded about 40 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $44,347 early in their careers. College Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at College Of Charleston

4

Coastal Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #4. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Coastal Carolina University awarded about 34 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $43,072 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Coastal Carolina University

5
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #5. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. About 57% of students finish within six years. Winthrop University awarded about 25 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Winthrop University earn around $44,482 in the first couple years of their career. Winthrop University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Winthrop University

6

University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #6 for early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Upstate in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $40,081 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of South Carolina Upstate

7

University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #7 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Aiken awarded about 16 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of South Carolina Aiken earn around $38,667 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Aiken graduates carry a median of $24,776 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of South Carolina Aiken

8

North Greenville University landed the #8 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. North Greenville University graduates 54% of students within six years. North Greenville University awarded about 36 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from North Greenville University earn around $39,562 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from North Greenville University

9
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Lander University awarded about 20 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Lander University earn around $43,532 in the first couple years of their career. Lander University graduates carry a median of $26,075 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Lander University

10

Charleston Southern University placed #10 among the best early childhood education schools. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 12 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Charleston Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $40,478. Charleston Southern University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Charleston Southern University

11

Francis Marion University placed #11 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Francis Marion University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Francis Marion University earn around $39,122 in the first couple years of their career. Francis Marion University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Francis Marion University

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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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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