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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

3 Colleges in the United States
181 Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Degrees Awarded
$39,651 Avg Early-Career Salary

Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall kindergarten/preschool education & teaching education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching

1

University Of Arizona tops our 2026 ranking of the best kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 20 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program make about $41,490 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $18,687 in student loans. Get the full kindergarten/preschool education & teaching details for University Of Arizona

2

Western New Mexico University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. About 64 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees were awarded at Western New Mexico University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Typical student debt for the program is $27,425. More information about a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching from Western New Mexico University

3

New Mexico Highlands University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, ranking #3. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. About 27% of students finish within six years. About 59 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees were awarded at New Mexico Highlands University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $41,352. Typical student debt for the program is $18,375. See the full kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program report for New Mexico Highlands University

4

Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 14 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn around $46,400 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College graduates carry a median of $15,568 in student loans. See the full kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program report for Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College

5

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus awarded about 24 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees in the most recent data year. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $20,646 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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