Best Affordable Online Early Childhood Education Programs
Earning an online early childhood education degree doesn’t have to break the bank. Explore financial aid options, affordable programs, and more.
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Affordability is top of mind for students interested in online early childhood education degrees. However, the best affordable programs consider more than just cost.
Graduation rates, course offerings, transfer credit policies, class sizes, and accreditation status are equally important. Ultimately, your choice should align with your academic and career goals.
We’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you. Read more to learn about our top-ranked affordable online early childhood education programs, and begin your journey to a career in teaching.
Best Affordable Online Early Childhood Education Programs
How We Rank Schools
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- River Falls, WI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ online early childhood education program is highly affordable, and also features flexible options for field learning.
The fully online degree includes personalized coaching to help you transfer credits and get the most value out of your degree. The program curriculum touches broadly on early childhood education, including designing lessons for different age levels and teaching children with special needs.
The degree also has a built-in teaching certification option, so you can graduate with licensure to teach children from birth through age eight.
Highlights
- Low net price after financial aid
- Built-in teaching certification option
- Fieldwork can be completed close to home
Know Before You Apply
- Transfer credits encouraged
- Designated as an Exemplary Teacher Education Program by the National Education Association (NEA).
69%
$ 6,428
72%
$14,421
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,184
- Institution Type
- Public
University of North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of North Dakota uses small groups and faculty with real-world experience to prepare you for work in the classroom.
UND’s curriculum uses a classroom experiences model which is based on real-world teaching to prepare students for the early childhood education field. That hands-on experience includes interaction with children in the majority of classes.
Classes are offered in both a synchronous and asynchronous format.
Highlights
- Real-world learning model
- Direct involvement with children in a majority of courses
- Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Know Before You Apply
- Asynchronous and synchronous courses
- All classes capped at 25 students
68%
$ 9,237
83%
$13,856
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,172
- Institution Type
- Public
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Florida International University focuses its early childhood education program on children from age three to third grade.
The curriculum includes general courses on education and teaching diverse populations, as well as instruction on teaching everything from art to science. You’ll also be taught how to identify development and assess children’s needs.
The early childhood development track doesn’t focus on teacher certification but rather prepares students for a number of potential careers in the early childhood development field.
Highlights
- High graduation rate
- Broad overview of the childhood development field
- Highly affordable tuition
Know Before You Apply
- Does not result in teacher certification
67%
$ 6,168
92%
$18,566
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,085
- Institution Type
- Public
Iowa State University
- Ames, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The early childcare education and programming bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University lets you apply current classroom experience to the degree.
Iowa State’s online degree is a completion program that emphasizes prior experience and credits from previous institutions to help you earn your degree fast. The program lets you transfer up to 30 credits.
While the program doesn’t result in licensure, the curriculum covers childhood development and how to design programming for children, preparing you to further your education or eventually fulfill licensure requirements.
Highlights
- Degree completion program
- Transfer up to 30 credits
- Very high graduation rate
Know Before You Apply
- Does not result in teacher licensure
55%
$ 8,982
85%
$26,168
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,177
- Institution Type
- Public
Winona State University
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Winona State University’s online early childhood education program prepares you to work with children from birth through age three.
The program focuses on teaching children literacy and numerical skills throughout a child’s development. It also includes a clinical experience requirement in which you’ll work with children. That real-world field experience is part of the program’s teacher licensure program, which will prepare you to become an educator after graduation.
The early childhood development program at Winona is a degree completion and transfer pathway program that can help you use your past college credits to fulfill degree requirements.
Highlights
- Degree completion program
- Focus on literacy and numeracy
- Flexible transfer options
Know Before You Apply
- Licensure track included
- Field work required
52%
$ 8,388
76%
$15,120
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 6,154
- Institution Type
- Public
How to Choose an Affordable Online Early Childhood Education Program
Your search for the best affordable online early childhood education programs begins with defining true affordability and knowing the qualities to look for.
Net Price vs. Ticket Price
While it’s true some schools charge significantly more than others, those with higher tuition rates might still deserve a spot on your list of top schools. Depending on how much financial aid you can secure, the final amount you pay (net price) may be significantly less than the upfront ticket price.
Find Financial Aid for Your Early Childhood Education Program
Accreditation and Program Quality
Choosing an institutionally-accredited program is one of the best ways to ensure you receive the best education and career preparation. Accreditation is awarded to programs that meet national standards of excellence and quality.
However, some top online early childhood education programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
State Licensure Requirements
To practice as a preschool teacher, you need to complete an early childhood education program approved by the board of education in the state in which you plan to work. Generally, a teaching license is required to work in public schools.
Child Development Associate (CDA) or Teacher Assistant programs, however, do not result in licensure eligibility.
Transfer Credits
If you have already earned some college credits, enrolling in a degree completion program might be ideal. These programs permit you to transfer credits from your prior school, shortening the time it takes to finish.
First-time college students can choose the full 120-credit program option. Both program types are spotlighted in our rankings list.
What Makes an Online Early Childhood Education Program Truly Affordable?
Though degree programs can be pricey, it’s important to look at the bigger picture when determining affordability. Factoring in hidden costs, such as textbook and technology fees, is crucial before calculating your total bill. But remember that financial aid can drastically reduce the actual amount you owe (see the table below for examples).
Affordability also depends on your potential return on investment (ROI). The quality education, student support, and career preparation you’ll receive from an accredited institution can help you avoid retaking classes and boost your job prospects after graduation. This ultimately saves you both time and money in the end.
| Institution Name | Northwestern University | University of Missouri-St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Yearly Cost of Tuition | $87,804 | $32,289 |
| Avg. Net Tuition After Aid | $23,341 | $11,577 |
| Avg. Savings from Aid | ~73% | ~64% |
How Much Do Online Early Childhood Education Programs Cost?
The online programs mentioned in our rankings list cost between $235 and $565 (or $465 on average) per credit hour. This is less than the cost of all bachelor’s degree programs, which average $490 per credit hour. The table below compares the average net price of online and on-campus bachelor’s degree programs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, 2020
Avg. Online Tuition & Fees
$9,594
Avg. Online Net Price
$5,334
Avg. On-Campus Tuition & Fees
$14,226
Avg. On-Campus Net Price
$6,060
Source: NCES PowerStats
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Early Childhood Education Programs
As an early childhood education student, you may qualify for federal and field-specific aid, including:
- Federal Grants and Loans: Must submit the FAFSA to be eligible
- TEACH Grant: Funding in exchange for a work commitment
- Wisconsin’s Credential Scholarship: Funding for future preschool teachers
- North Dakota’s Workforce Training and Education Incentive: Up to $5,000 tuition reimbursement
What Is an Online Early Childhood Education Degree’s ROI?
To calculate the ROI of an early childhood education degree, compare the total program cost with your expected salary after graduation.
Education majors from the Class of 2024 reported an average starting salary of $46,768, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Salary, however, can depend on your location, specialization, and the degree you earn.
How to Save Money on Your Online Early Childhood Education Degree
Here are several tips, aside from financial aid and educator scholarships, to help you save on your college degree:
1. Start at a Community College
Starting at a community college is one of the best ways to save money on a bachelor’s degree. Consider this: Two-year public colleges cost under $120 per credit on average. On the other hand, four-year private colleges cost around $1,200, 10 times as much.
Many community colleges even offer two-year associate degree programs designed to help you easily transfer into a four-year school. By spending your first two years at a community college and then transferring, you’ll end up paying way less overall.
2. Get Exempt from Credits
You typically need to earn at least 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, but you can reduce that number by transferring credits or earning credits for life and work experience.
Be sure to research your transfer options and submit transcripts on time. Also, look into credit-by-exam options, such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests or placement exams. This can help you graduate faster and spend less money overall.
3. Research ‘Free’ Credentialing Programs
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for special teacher credentialing or residency programs that waive tuition for participants.
For example, the University of California, Riverside now offers a teacher residency program that covers tuition and guarantees a teaching position in the local school district upon completion. These programs help address teacher shortages while also making it more affordable to pursue a career in education.
However, this option isn’t available in all states and may be limited to only certain school districts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Early Childhood Education Programs
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