2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Our analysis ranked Collin County Community College District the best school in the country for a degree in early childhood education. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Collin County Community College District awarded about 56 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data 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. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Collin County Community College District

2

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 60 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $55,814 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,287 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Texas Christian University

3

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Students looking for a strong early childhood education program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,402. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Arizona State University

4

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. 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. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Tarrant County College District

5

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 11 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from University Of Arizona earn around $41,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Arizona

6

Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX

Northwest Vista College earned the #6 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. About 86 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Northwest Vista College in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Northwest Vista College earn around $22,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Northwest Vista College

7

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. About 84 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Austin Community College District earn around $46,430 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Austin Community College District

8

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #8 spot for early childhood education this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $46,244. Typical student debt for the program is $22,626. See the full early childhood education program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

9

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. There were roughly 45 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full early childhood education program report for Tyler Junior College

10

Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX

Weatherford College earned the #10 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public university. Weatherford College awarded about 12 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. Weatherford College graduates carry a median of $14,099 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Weatherford College

11

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 20 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,600. See the full early childhood education program report for Northern Arizona University

12

Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX

Palo Alto College landed the #12 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. There were roughly 52 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Palo Alto College in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,430. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Palo Alto College

13

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #13 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Yavapai College awarded about 29 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Yavapai College earn around $52,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Yavapai College

14

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College came in at #14 for early childhood education this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 178 early childhood education degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from San Jacinto Community College earn around $19,581 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at San Jacinto Community College

15

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #15 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. About 230 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $20,236. Students borrow a median of $8,479 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Lone Star College System

16

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #16 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 13 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447. See the full early childhood education program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College

17

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College placed #17 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Cochise College awarded about 17 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $40,712 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,013. Get the full early childhood education details for Cochise College

18

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 57 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996. See the full early childhood education program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az

19

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College placed #19 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 86 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $29,708 in the first couple years of their career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Central New Mexico Community College

20

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong placed #20 among the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 27 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $55,793 early in their careers. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Arizona State University Skysong

21

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #21 for early childhood education this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. There were roughly 394 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $25,385. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from El Centro College

22

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 11 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Mainland in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,928. Get the full early childhood education details for College Of The Mainland

23

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College came in at #23 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Arizona Western College awarded about 43 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Arizona Western College earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full early childhood education details for Arizona Western College

24

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College landed the #24 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. About 65 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Odessa College in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $47,856 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Odessa College

25

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Denison. About 13 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Grayson College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Grayson College graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for Grayson College