ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region

16 Colleges in the United States
$19,624 Avg Student Debt
$43,793 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools to find the best return on investment for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.12), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Elementary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Elementary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Elementary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Elementary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,500. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Cleveland Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

3

Central Carolina Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanly Community College earned it the #4 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $32,147.

5

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $24,653 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Haywood Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $28,013.

7

Lenoir Community College placed #7 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,534. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Johnston Community College landed the #8 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.

9

Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #9 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Western Piedmont Community College placed #10 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,794. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,999 median debt.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $41,224. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

Isothermal Community College placed #12 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $6,625. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Robeson Community College placed #13 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #14 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,886. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $41,584. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

Richmond Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. In-state tuition and fees average $1,956, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.

ADBLOCK #145
16

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $23,250. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $45,749. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

17
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University placed #17 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $40,748. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

18

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #18 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $13,640. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $13,640 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

19

Bladen Community College came in at #19 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Bladen Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Dublin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,690. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,905. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $45,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #20 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.

ADBLOCK #150
21

Elizabeth City State University placed #21 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

22

Western Carolina University landed the #22 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,714 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23

Mississippi Valley State University placed #23 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,692. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Norfolk State University placed #24 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $51,920. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Old Dominion University came in at #25 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
35
36
37
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN
38
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
39
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
40
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
41
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
42
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
43

ADBLOCK #173
View All Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 56 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options