2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,981. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.

2

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

3

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

A rank of #3 makes Essex County College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $23,768. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $32,147 early in their careers.

5

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,653 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College landed the #6 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $7,131. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College earned the #7 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $28,013 early in their careers.

8

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College came in at #9 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,069 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $19,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,069 median debt.

12

Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC

Lenoir Community College placed #12 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,984. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College earned the #13 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $7,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $21,738. That is a strong return on a $7,788 median debt.

14

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College landed the #14 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College placed #16 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $12,129 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $24,950. Set against $12,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Southwestern Community College Sylva
Sylva, NC

Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #17 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #18 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.

19

Western Piedmont Community College
Morganton, NC

Western Piedmont Community College came in at #19 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,650, while out-of-state students pay about $8,794. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Western Piedmont Community College generally make around $46,883. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University came in at #20 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,425. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,986. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $20,646. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Truckee Meadows Community College
Reno, NV

Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #22 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,290. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.

23

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #23 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,242. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,224. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

25

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.