by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Early Childhood and Family Studies covers A Program Of Study That Focuses On The Development And Learning Of Children From Birth To Six Years Old Within The Context Of The Family. Includes Instruction In Child Abuse And Neglect, Child And Infant Growth And Development, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Language And Literacy, Early Childhood Math And Science, Early Childhood Special Education, Family Literacy, Family Sociology, Family And Marriage Relations, Assessment And Measurement, Psychology, And Psychopathology. Read on to learn the essential details every early childhood and family studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering early childhood and family studies programs.
Nationwide, early childhood and family studies is a widely-pursued major, with 439 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Early Childhood and Family Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for early childhood and family studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of early childhood and family studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Early Childhood and Family Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations early childhood and family studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a early childhood and family studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a early childhood and family studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several early childhood and family studies 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 60 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 333 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 46 |
People currently working in careers related to early childhood and family studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 14.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in early childhood and family studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in early childhood and family studies prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to early childhood and family studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to early childhood and family studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Childcare Workers | 438,372 | 10.8% |
| Nannies | 287,752 | 6.8% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
| Psychologists, All Other | 30,286 | 4.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of early childhood and family studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for early childhood and family studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers early childhood and family studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Nannies | $55,232 |
| Childcare Workers | $50,186 |
With 18 different early childhood and family studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased early childhood and family studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in early childhood and family studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 8,444 |
| Child Development | 4,599 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,267 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 238 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 59 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
