Early childhood education majors learn how to care for children and encourage creativity, emotional development, and basic academic skills. A bachelor's degree in this field helps professionals increase their earning potential and gain specialized training. After finishing an undergraduate program in early childhood education (ECE), graduates can pursue careers like preschool teacher, preschool director, and kindergarten teacher.
Our list ranks the top online bachelor's in early childhood education programs. Prospective applicants can use the rankings to find the best fit for their budget, interests, and career goals. This article also explores common ECE courses, salary data for graduates, and scholarships for ECE majors.
Why Get a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education?
With a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, childcare workers can increase their earning potential and advance to administrative or educator positions. Early childhood education majors study topics like child development, literacy education, social and emotional learning, and ECE leadership. Specializations like ECE administration and special education can prepare graduates for focused roles.
Online ECE programs give students the flexibility to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. Additionally, many schools offer tuition discounts to distance learners.
Bachelor's graduates can also pursue an online master's degree in early childhood education.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education
What to Expect From an Early Childhood Education Degree Program
Bachelor's in early childhood education programs help prepare individuals to work with children from birth to age eight. Enrollees study teaching methods, curriculum development, and assessment techniques for young learners. Attendees typically complete around 120 semester credits in four years of full-time study.
Students wondering how much does it cost to get a bachelor's degree in early childhood education can check each prospective school's website to learn about tuition rates. The total tuition for a full degree often ranges between $24,000 and $75,000.
In addition to general programs, early childhood education bachelor's enrollees can pursue a subject concentration to specialize in a field like history, English, or math. Programs often require fieldwork teaching experiences and culminating projects.
Explore Admissions Requirements
Each school maintains its own admissions requirements for early childhood education bachelor's applicants. The list below highlights common application procedures and prerequisites.
Complete an online application
Application fees may apply
Schools may waive application fees for early childhood education programs or for prospective students with financial need
Applicants usually need a high school degree or equivalent
Schools may require a minimum 2.5-3.0 high school GPA
Some schools may not require test scores
Others may require minimum ACT or SAT scores
At public schools, proof of residency determines whether students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition
Understand Accreditation
Prospective students should ensure their school has received institutional accreditation, which verifies that the college or university meets standards of academic excellence. Education departments can also hold programmatic accreditation from agencies like the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Though optional, programmatic accreditation can serve as verification from industry professionals that a degree adequately prepares graduates for jobs in the field.
Discover Popular Courses
Each bachelor's in early childhood education program offers its own classes that explore topics like learning environments, child development, and creative arts in early education. The list below includes common courses found across curricula.
Foundations in early childhood education
Educational technology
Early childhood literacy
Exceptional children
Child abuse and violence prevention
Family and community relations
Learn About Graduation Requirements
In addition to the completion of general education classes and major-specific courses, early childhood education programs typically maintain requirements of additional culminating projects and experiences prior to graduation.
Many programs, especially those that prepare enrollees for teaching licensure, require student-teaching or other fieldwork experiences that allow learners to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world educational spaces. Depending on their curricular focus, some degrees may require internships in non-classroom settings like daycares or outdoor educational centers.
In addition to student-teaching, schools may require a capstone course where students build a teaching portfolio or write reflective self-assessments about their time in the field.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education?
Multiple factors determine how much it costs to get a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Program reputation, institutional public or private status, and student state residency all affect a degree's total price.
In addition to comparing costs to find affordable options, prospective attendees can reduce their costs through financial aid. By filling out the FAFSA and researching on their own, aspiring early childhood educators can access funding opportunities like:
Grants: Grants are need- and merit-based financial aid. They do not require repayment.
Scholarships: Scholarships can be need-based, merit-based, or demographic-based. They do not require repayment.
Loans: Public and private lenders offer student loans. These require repayment with interest, so borrow only what you need.
Price Check
As of 2024, the average student borrows $7,487 in loans each year, according to the Education Data Initiative.
What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood education program graduates can qualify for teaching and other child-related careers. Degree-holders who want to work in the classroom can pursue roles like elementary school teacher, preschool teacher, or teaching assistant. Individuals can also find work in non-teaching roles, including family advocacy and education consultancy.
Childhood education professionals' salaries vary by location. States with a higher cost of living generally offer higher average wages. For example, in 2023, New York elementary school teachers earned an average of $94,600 annually, while Oklahoma elementary school teachers earned an average of $51,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — a reflection of New York's higher cost of living.
Individuals can earn a graduate degree or certifications to boost their earning potential and deepen their expertise. With the proper training and credentials, education professionals can pursue roles such as school counselor, special education teacher, or instructional coordinator.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $63,670 | +1% |
| Preschool Teachers | $37,130 | +3% |
| Child Care Center Director | $49,030* | N/A |
| Education Consultant | $67,750* | N/A |
| Family Advocate | $42,080* | N/A |
Explore Other Education Degrees
Online Science Education Degrees
Online Secondary Education Degrees
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Education
What is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is the subfield of education related specifically to young children's learning and development. Bachelor's in early childhood education programs explore topics like curriculum development, educational technologies, and learning environments.
What degree is best for early childhood education?
Your career goals determine which early childhood education degree is best. If you want to work as a teacher from preschool to second grade, a bachelor's in early childhood education can suit your needs. If you want to work in roles like school counselor, curriculum developer, principal, or special education teacher, you may need a specialized program, an advanced degree, or professional certifications.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in early childhood education?
A bachelor's degree in early childhood education usually requires 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete. Part-time students may need additional time to earn their degree.
What job can I get with an associate degree in early childhood education?
Childhood education associate degree graduates can pursue careers like preschool teacher, teacher assistant, or nanny. These workers can qualify for additional roles by earning a bachelor's degree or pursuing professional certifications.
What can you do with an early childhood education degree besides teach?
Early childhood education degree-holders can pursue a variety of careers, including jobs in consulting, sales, and advocacy. Childhood education programs focus on how to work with young children, and children need help outside the classroom, too. Graduates can apply their knowledge to many roles related to children.
