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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Associate’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
$13,107 Avg Student Debt
$41,272 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Associate's Degree Badge [Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong kindergarten/preschool education & teaching education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 160 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the United States. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,981. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.

2

Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Stanly Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $32,147.

4

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $23,865. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haywood Community College earned it the #5 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $28,013.

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6

Raritan Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. 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.

7

Central Carolina Community College placed #7 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #8 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

College Of Southern Nevada landed the #9 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $11,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Cleveland Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

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Bristol Community College earned the #11 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Sinclair Community College placed #12 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, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $12,129. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,129 median debt.

13

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt.

14

Johnston Community College placed #14 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.

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Western Piedmont Community College landed the #16 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Western New Mexico University landed the #17 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #18 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,352, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #19 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Utah Valley University landed the #20 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #21 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.

22

Robeson Community College landed the #22 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,949. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.

23

Isothermal Community College came in at #23 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #24 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $31,901. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,408. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $49,729. That is a strong return on a $10,408 median debt.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching:

26
27
28
29
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Other Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching
Bachelor's Degrees in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching
Master's Degrees in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching
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View All Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 160 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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