The best colleges for early childhood education – 2024

CUNY City College (City College or CCNY) is a public research university in New York City. It is part of the CUNY network, which is well known for offering affordable degrees that don’t compromise on quality.  

It offers a rigorous, highly respected B.S. in Early Childhood Education that emphasizes the needs and perspectives of diverse young learners from various socio-cultural backgrounds. This program includes a fieldwork component that ensures students graduate with hands-on experience. It leads to certification in New York State. 

CUNY Brooklyn College is a public university in Brooklyn, New York City. Part of the CUNY network, which is renowned for bestowing high-quality, affordable degrees, it is a great option for students who want to study early childhood education without drowning in debt.  

Its B.A. in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2) is highly respected, as it offers dual certification in early childhood education and teaching students with disabilities in early childhood. Students combine educational theory with hands-on practice. This program leads to certification. 

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university in Miami-Dade Country, between Florida’s Carribean coast and the beautiful Everglades. 

FIU’s B.S. in Early Childhood Education is one of the best in the state of Florida. Students can choose between 2 major specializations: Early Childhood Development, and Prekindergarten/Primary Education: Age 3 through Grade 3 and Reading/ESOL Endorsement. The second major leads to teacher certification, while the first does not. Courses cover classroom management, development, assessment techniques, family engagement, teaching children with special needs, and more. 

New York University (NYU) is a prestigious, highly selective private university in Manhattan, New York City. By enrollment, it is the largest private university in the country. 

If offers a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education that leads to dual teacher certification for working with kids from birth to Grade 2. Graduates are prepared to teach in both general education and special education settings. Students also have the opportunity to conduct research and study abroad in the UK or in Ghana. 

The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university in the buzzing town of Jacksonville, near the border with Georgia. 

Its Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is a great option for people looking to save on college. The undergraduate program offers 2 tracks: a prekindergarten/primary licensure concentration and an early childhood development concentration. The first track includes field work and a semester-long internship in a school; it leads to state certification. The second track is an online non-licensure program that is better for students who plan to work toward advanced degrees. 

University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university in Tampa. It is the fourth-largest university in Florida by enrollment.  

It offers a highly regarded Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Its curriculum includes a state-approved program that makes students eligible for licensure in Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten/Primary (Age 3 to Grade 3). This program combines theory with field experiences, teaching practice, and internships. 

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university just outside Fort Myers, in the sunny southeast corner of the state. 

Its B.A. in Early Childhood Education program prepares students for licensure in the state of Florida. Graduates will be certified to teach children from age 3 to Grade 3 and finish the program with a Prekindergarten/Disability endorsement, an ESOL endorsement, and a Reading endorsement. The curriculum is enriched by extensive field experiences. 

The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) is a public research university in Honolulu. It offers students the unique opportunity to pursue their studies amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of the Aloha state. 

UH Manoa’s high-value Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education is the best in the state. Students of this 3-for-1 program graduate with a bachelor’s degree along with 2 teaching licenses at the early childhood level, preparing graduates to work with young children – with or without disabilities – in preschool through 3rd Grade. 

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university just outside the exciting city of Orlando, the state’s fourth-largest city.  

UCF’s affordable B.S. in Early Childhood Development and Education has a strong reputation. Its curriculum covers child development, social and emotional development, assessment, literacy, and more. This program offers 2 tracks, both of which feature plenty of opportunities for experiential learning. The Education, Pre-Kindergarten through Primary Track leads to certification, whereas the Early Childhood Development Track does not. 

Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in the quaint seaside town of Bellingham, nestled between Washington state’s Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound, not far from the Canadian border. 

Western’s early childhood education program includes 3 tracks: a non-certification option for students who don’t require it (many graduates go on to work in childcare or after-school programs), a P-3 option that teaches students to work with kids from birth to 3rd grade, and a P-3 with Elementary Education option that teaches students to work with kids from birth to 8th grade. The latter 2 options lead to teaching certification. 

San Francisco State University (SF State or SFSU) is a public research university in San Francisco, a hip city in California’s Bay Area. SF State is an officially designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institution (AANAPISI). 

It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development: Pre-K to 3rd Grade that is one of the best in California. This major allows students to apply for California Early Childhood Education Specialist credential programs. The curriculum places a special emphasis on social justice and cultural awareness. 

Louisiana Tech (La. Tech or simply Tech) is a public research university in Ruston, Louisiana, a college town in the north of the state.  

La. Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences offers an affordable B.S. in Early Childhood Education – Grades PK-3. Its curriculum includes general education, early childhood teaching, and a year-long clinical residency. Courses include instructional design, strategies, and assessment; strategies and procedures for serving young children with special needs; classroom management; reading and writing methods; child psychology; and many more. 

The University of Minnesota (UM) is a public research university with several campuses in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It is one of the oldest and largest universities in the state. 

UM’s BS in Early Childhood prepares students to work with children in various fields. The curriculum places a special emphasis on developmental psychology and features several hands-on learning experiences in schools and local communities. Note that students who want to become licensed teachers will need to add a 1-year master’s degree to their bachelor’s studies. 

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public research university in Paradise, Nevada, a suburb in the Los Vegas metro area.  

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at UNLV is an outstanding program that teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to support the learning of young children. It features a licensure and a non-licensure track. Graduates go on to become licensed teachers, preschool teachers, preschool administrators, day care teachers, day care administrators, and more. 

The William Paterson University of New Jersey, commonly referred to as William Paterson or WPUNJ, is a small public university in the suburban college town of Wayne. The campus is conveniently located just 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan.    

The BA in Early Childhood Education (P-3) is a great choice for people who want to become teachers in New Jersey. The curriculum includes a professional preparation program that leads to teacher certification. Courses include Educational Practices in the Inclusive Classroom, Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education, Math and Science in Early Childhood Education, and more.  

Roosevelt University is a private university with several campuses in the Chicago area. It is home to the tallest educational building in Chicago and the 2nd tallest educational building in the United States. 

The Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, BAE at Roosevelt is a high-value program that’s great for people who want to become teachers in Illinois. The curriculum places a particular emphasis on field work, preparing students to work with children from diverse backgrounds and their families, including kids with special needs and from foreign-language backgrounds. This program boasts a 100% pass rate on the teacher licensure exam for Illinois. 

The University of Delaware (UD or Delaware) is a research university in Newark, Delaware, just outside Wilmington. While it is privately governed, it receives significant funding from the state. It is the largest university in Delaware. 

UD is home to a well-regarded Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education bachelor’s program that prepares students for certification in all 50 states. Students can also enroll in a 4+1 program and earn a master’s degree in 1 year right after undergrad. The curriculum focuses on child development and developing age-appropriate instructional strategies and materials that meet each child’s specific social, cognitive, and physical needs. 

The University of Scranton is a private Jesuit university in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, making it a great choice for people who want to pursue their studies in a faith-centered environment.  

The Early & Primary Teacher Education program at the University of Scranton prepares students for the state licensure exam, training them to become teachers at the preschool level through 4th grade. The curriculum teaches students the basics of reading, math, science, and social studies instruction. Family and community relations, educational psychology, and methodology are also important components. This program is rich in hands-on teaching experiences. 

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama. It is the oldest public university in the state. It was also one of the first coeducational colleges in the nation.  

Its Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education is a good affordable option for those who want to pursue a career teaching young children. The program leads to P-3 certification in Alabama. Examples of courses include evaluation of teaching and learning, accommodating student diversity, learning theories and student development, classroom management, children’s literature in a digital age, and more. Program participants also complete an internship.