Best graduate programs Education Early childhood education

Best graduate schools for early childhood education

This rewarding discipline focuses on the development and education of children from birth to age 8. A graduate-level curriculum in early childhood education focuses on in-depth development, research, and policy advocacy. Check out the best early childhood education programs below and the methodology behind how we ranked them. 

Our master’s in early childhood education rankings cover 115 of the 147 universities available, accounting for 93% of total student conferrals. Three years after completing their degree, graduates earn a weighted average salary of $49,054.

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#1 in Early childhood education | #2 in Education

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

Economic score 0.11

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $61,255

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $7,905

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in Early childhood education | #6 in Education
Economic score 0.21

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $52,964

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $11,690

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in Early childhood education | #10 in Education

Trinity Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score 0.25

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $65,924

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $19,973

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in Early childhood education | #12 in Education

Wagner College

Staten Island, New York

Economic score 0.27

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $65,911

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in Early childhood education | #14 in Education

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa

Economic score 0.28

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,993

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $14,436

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in Early childhood education | #15 in Education

CUNY Queens College

Queens, New York

Economic score 0.29

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $59,767

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $16,815

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in Early childhood education | #19 in Education

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Economic score 0.30

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $51,920

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $15,386

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in Early childhood education | #25 in Education

Towson University

Towson, Maryland

Economic score 0.33

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $55,949

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,078

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in Early childhood education | #27 in Education

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Economic score 0.33

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $57,183

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,468

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in Early childhood education | #29 in Education

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Economic score 0.35

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $67,144

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $25,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in Early childhood education | #37 in Education

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Economic score 0.38

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $53,711

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,167

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in Early childhood education | #42 in Education
Economic score 0.39

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,837

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in Early childhood education | #51 in Education

CUNY City College

New York, New York

Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $65,519

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $28,057

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in Early childhood education | #52 in Education

CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, New York

Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $62,612

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,305

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in Early childhood education | #55 in Education
Economic score 0.42

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $48,298

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#16 in Early childhood education | #56 in Education
Economic score 0.42

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $50,288

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,377

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#17 in Early childhood education | #59 in Education

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Economic score 0.42

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $52,237

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,534

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#18 in Early childhood education | #63 in Education

Pace University

New York, New York

Economic score 0.44

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $70,760

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $39,218

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#19 in Early childhood education | #68 in Education
Economic score 0.44

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $53,892

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,795

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#20 in Early childhood education | #71 in Education

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut

Economic score 0.45

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,947

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $23,092

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in early childhood education?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in early childhood education is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in early childhood education earn?

Salary

$49,066

The median master's degree in early childhood education graduate earns $49,066 3 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in early childhood education cost?

Net cost

$19,140

The average annual cost of a master's degree in early childhood education is $19,140. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

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