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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Virginia

3 Colleges in the United States
332 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$45,652 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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 Virginia

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
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in early childhood education. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 early childhood education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. Get the full early childhood education details for James Madison University

2

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 45 early childhood education degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at George Mason University

3
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Students looking for a strong early childhood education program will find one at Liberty University, which ranked #3. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 261 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $32,945. Typical student debt for the program is $29,249. Read more about the early childhood education program at Liberty University

4
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $33,534. Typical student debt for the program is $31,250. See the full early childhood education program report for Regent 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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