2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for early childhood education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,271 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,598 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

A rank of #2 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for early childhood education. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full early childhood education program report for Iowa State University

3

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #3. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,302. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of Missouri Columbia

4

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 14 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $45,405 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,776 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Kansas

5

Winona State University
Winona, MN

A rank of #5 makes Winona State University one of the top schools for early childhood education. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 12 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $42,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,470 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Winona State University

6

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 31 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $48,667 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,059. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Northern Iowa

7

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Norfolk. There were roughly 22 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Northeast Community College earn around $24,710 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,799 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Northeast Community College

8

Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College came in at #8 for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willmar. About 29 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Ridgewater College in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $42,178 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,556. Get the full early childhood education details for Ridgewater College

9

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University came in at #9 for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 58 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from South Dakota State University earn around $43,530 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from South Dakota State University

10

Rasmussen College Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN

Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #10 position for early childhood education this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Rasmussen College Minnesota awarded about 621 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data 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. See the full early childhood education program report for Rasmussen College Minnesota

11

Northwestern College Iowa
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa earned the #11 position for early childhood education this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 45 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Northwestern College Iowa earn around $48,608 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Northwestern College Iowa

12

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University placed #12 among the best early childhood education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 17 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Creighton University earn around $64,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Creighton University

13

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #13 for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Moorhead. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Minnesota State University Moorhead awarded about 21 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $43,245 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Minnesota State University Moorhead

14

Martin Luther College
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College earned the #14 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Martin Luther College graduates 72% of students within six years. Martin Luther College awarded about 15 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $46,706. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full early childhood education program report for Martin Luther College

15

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri came in at #15 for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 16 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $24,199 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at University Of Central Missouri

16

Minot State University
Minot, ND

Minot State University came in at #16 for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Minot. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Minot State University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $48,425 early in their careers. Minot State University graduates carry a median of $25,823 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Minot State University

17

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 45% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Saint Paul awarded about 41 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $42,105 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Read more about the early childhood education program at Concordia University Saint Paul

18

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward earned the #18 position for early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Seward awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Concordia University Seward earn around $47,667 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Concordia University Seward

19

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 15 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Southwest Minnesota State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University earn around $41,333 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full early childhood education program report for Southwest Minnesota State University

20

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #20 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Capella University awarded about 42 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $65,786 early in their careers. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Capella University

21

Southeastern Community College West Burlington
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #21 position for early childhood education this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. About 30 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $45,760 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Southeastern Community College West Burlington

22

Mayville State University
Mayville, ND

Mayville State University landed the #22 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Mayville State University awarded about 15 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Mayville State University earn around $45,438 in the first couple years of their career. Mayville State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Mayville State University

23

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $37,907 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Missouri State University Springfield

24

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #24 for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,061 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,995. Read more about the early childhood education program at Southeast Missouri State University

25

Alexandria Technical And Community College
Alexandria, MN

Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #25 spot for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Alexandria. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $26,671. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Alexandria Technical And Community College