by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching involves the study of Kindergarten/preschool Education And Teaching. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Students In Formal Settings Prior To Beginning Regular Elementary School, Usually Ranging In Age From Three To Six Years (Or Grade One), Depending On The School System Or State Regulations. Includes Preparation To Teach All Relevant Subject Matter. Read on to learn the essential details every kindergarten/preschool education & teaching major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering kindergarten/preschool education & teaching programs.
Nationwide, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching is a widely-pursued major, with 2,616 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools ranking analyzes these 126 schools to determine the best overall colleges for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of kindergarten/preschool education & teaching programs later in this article.
Programs in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a kindergarten/preschool education & teaching major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 33 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,141 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 729 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 709 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 33.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.8% |
| Master’s degree | 11.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying kindergarten/preschool education & teaching can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to kindergarten/preschool education & teaching.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,857 |
| 4 years | $43,846 |
| 5 years | $48,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers kindergarten/preschool education & teaching grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
With 126 different kindergarten/preschool education & teaching programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased kindergarten/preschool education & teaching school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
