85 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Programs in the U.S.
Are you looking to get started as a preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, or even a teacher’s aide in order to gain some on the job training? Well, the main change to early childhood education in the last 10 years is the increasing need for a degree or certification in order to gain access to education careers. Especially in the case of early childhood education, recent studies have shown the importance of the education you receive early in life, and our requirements for teachers have increased in response to this new information.
If you’re looking to get into early childhood education, it’s in your best interest to find a program that supports your goals. However, it’d be even better if that college or university could support those career goals without charging you an arm and a leg. After all, early childhood education is not the highest paying career in the world. Many go into teaching because they feel a calling. If you choose to attend one of these inexpensive, but still high-quality institutions, that calling can come with a lower price tag from a great college program.
- Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University has a dedicated department of education featuring a wide array of undergraduate early childhood education degrees, including birth through kindergarten, special education, elementary education, birth through kindergarten teaching certification and a child, family and community non-teaching degree. Graduate degrees are also available in elementary education and school administration. All degree programs work to prepare students for licensure. Elizabeth City also has a partnership with Pitt Community College to prepare students in the early childhood education associate degree to make a smooth transition transfer possible.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$3,260
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,260
Average Net Price:$2,465
# of Applicants2,486
% Admitted:59%
Total Enrollment:1,677
Undergraduate:1,636 (98%)
Graduate:41 (2%)
Rank:#1
Retention Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:42%
Student Faculty Ratio:16 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$52,000
10 Year ROI*:$510,140
- CUNY Lehman College
CUNY Lehman College’s Department of Early Childhood and Childhood Education provides several programs that lead to initial certification in the state of New York. Students will work with a vast group of individuals outside of the program for optimal work and life experience prior to entering the teaching workforce including parents, community organizations, ECE schools, and ECE students. Programs are available in the form of undergraduate degrees, minors, master’s degrees, and bilingual extension opportunities. Online degrees are available.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$7,410
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,360
Average Net Price:$2,709
# of Applicants15,782
% Admitted:40%
Total Enrollment:14,787
Undergraduate:12,639 (85%)
Graduate:2,148 (15%)
Rank:#2
Retention Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:49%
Student Faculty Ratio:16 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$60,000
10 Year ROI*:$589,164
- California State University-Los Angeles
California State University at Los Angeles awards graduates of the early childhood education program with an education specialist credential. CSU Los Angeles also provides a unique learning curriculum and environment to prepare students to work in schools and similar learning institutions that are more diverse both linguistically and culturally. Internship credentials are also available in a variety of areas such as mild to moderate disabilities, moderate to severe disabilities, early childhood special education, physical and health impairments, and visual impairments.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$6,768
Out-of-State Tuition:$18,648
Average Net Price:$3,255
# of Applicants39,854
% Admitted:42%
Total Enrollment:28,036
Undergraduate:24,223 (86%)
Graduate:3,813 (14%)
Rank:#3
Retention Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:48%
Student Faculty Ratio:24 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$71,000
10 Year ROI*:$696,980
- CUNY City College
CUNY City College features a state-approved early childhood education bachelor’s degree. Students will be required to complete several individual components to graduate successfully including fieldwork, coursework, teacher certification exams, and student teaching. The program is nationally accredited. Students will learn to be effective teachers through learning and understanding child development and behavior, as well as the needs of diverse learners, child diversity, ethical and responsible decision making, and child welfare. Many program participants will go on to complete a master’s degree.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$7,340
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,290
Average Net Price:$3,397
# of Applicants21,982
% Admitted:48%
Total Enrollment:16,043
Undergraduate:13,186 (82%)
Graduate:2,857 (18%)
Rank:#4
Retention Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:55%
Student Faculty Ratio:14 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$71,000
10 Year ROI*:$696,412
- CUNY Brooklyn College
CUNY Brooklyn College is unlike most other ECE schools as it offers a specialized focus in both early childhood education and art education. The college is home to one of the most advanced early childhood education centers that encourages the enrichment of education through wonderment and playtime experiences. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in the newly launched annual education conference that demonstrates the ways CUNY’s revolutionary teaching practices are changing the education realm on a global scale.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$7,440
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,390
Average Net Price:$3,805
# of Applicants20,936
% Admitted:44%
Total Enrollment:18,161
Undergraduate:14,978 (82%)
Graduate:3,183 (18%)
Rank:#5
Retention Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:58%
Student Faculty Ratio:16 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$67,000
10 Year ROI*:$654,780
- CUNY Hunter College
CUNY Hunter College prides itself on producing teachers that will inherently centralize their efforts of fostering creative thinking for young students in early childhood education. Programs at CUNY Hunter College will also focus on preparing program participants to work with children from diverse backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and ages. Students can choose from an early childhood education bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a variety of ECE certifications. All students will gain valuable work experience within the NYC public school system.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$7,382
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,332
Average Net Price:$3,957
# of Applicants31,030
% Admitted:36%
Total Enrollment:23,202
Undergraduate:17,212 (74%)
Graduate:5,990 (26%)
Rank:#6
Retention Rate:85%
Graduation Rate:56%
Student Faculty Ratio:13 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$65,000
10 Year ROI*:$634,172
- CUNY Queens College
CUNY Queens College is one of few colleges to offer undergraduate, graduate, and high-level certificates in early childhood education. Degrees are available in early childhood education, bilingual education, and literacy education. Students will learn to work within diverse environments, as well as complete preparation courses in working with parents, community organizations, administrators, and more. Each program also centers around the importance of constant professionalism by all teachers in and out of the classroom.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$7,538
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,488
Average Net Price:$4,471
# of Applicants18,862
% Admitted:48%
Total Enrollment:19,746
Undergraduate:16,620 (84%)
Graduate:3,126 (16%)
Rank:#7
Retention Rate:84%
Graduation Rate:55%
Student Faculty Ratio:15 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$66,000
10 Year ROI*:$642,116
- California State University-Dominguez Hills
California State University at Dominguez Hills has a Child Development Department with a bachelor’s degree in child development. As part of the program requirements, students will participate in classroom coursework as well as hands-on field experience. Programs center around scientific reasoning, theory, observation, and more. The university also offers a concentration in early development and learning to help guide teachers of ECE in curriculum development, assessment methodologies, language and math skill teaching, and more.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$6,946
Out-of-State Tuition:$18,826
Average Net Price:$4,594
# of Applicants20,235
% Admitted:64%
Total Enrollment:16,732
Undergraduate:13,899 (83%)
Graduate:2,833 (17%)
Rank:#8
Retention Rate:78%
Graduation Rate:45%
Student Faculty Ratio:25 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$69,000
10 Year ROI*:$671,624
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley features an early care and early childhood studies undergraduate degree complete with teacher certification. Students will develop the necessary skills to work in all areas of education, including research, leadership, early human development, and teaching. Many graduates go on to work for both private and public environments including preschools, elementary schools, early childhood education coaching, child protective services, and others. The school’s ECED programs all meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s rigid standards to be able to complete teacher preparation programs and certification exams.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$8,132
Out-of-State Tuition:$18,260
Average Net Price:$4,654
# of Applicants11,191
% Admitted:81%
Total Enrollment:28,644
Undergraduate:24,678 (86%)
Graduate:3,966 (14%)
Rank:#9
Retention Rate:76%
Graduation Rate:46%
Student Faculty Ratio:19 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$61,000
10 Year ROI*:$591,384
- Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University provides students with degree opportunities in early childhood education, elementary education, reading, special education, and more. Students are able to complete both bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees with various concentrations. Each program is designed so that students can complete either initial or advanced licensure upon graduation. The university provides an early childhood learning center for students to gain hands-on experience relatively early in their academic career. Graduates often work in various fields and positions including preschools, childcare centers, preschool directors, kindergarten teachers, private, public schools, and youth organizations.
Tuition
In-State Tuition:$5,274
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,882
Average Net Price:$5,587
# of Applicants4,130
% Admitted:68%
Total Enrollment:6,318
Undergraduate:5,473 (87%)
Graduate:845 (13%)
Rank:#10
Retention Rate:69%
Graduation Rate:35%
Student Faculty Ratio:17 to 1
Average Grads Salary:$54,000
10 Year ROI*:$517,652