Getting an affordable early childhood education degree online will open exciting options for your career while giving you a versatile credential. Many of the top positions working with young children are reserved for people with bachelor’s degrees. Best of all, you can work on an online degree while continuing your current job.
Choosing a cheap but quality online program can save you big money on your degree. There is a $130,000 difference in total price between the most and least expensive programs on our list!
With 59 programs at 48 regionally accredited schools, we looked at the full range of early childhood education bachelor’s degrees online to find the Best Buys—the programs with below-average priced tuition and fees. With a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, graduates can work in a variety of careers from managing childcare facilities to teaching in public schools to working with community development groups. Discover the most practical degree programs for early childhood education with these Best Buys.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$49,400
Least Expensive In-state: Florida State College at Jacksonville ~$13,284
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Northwest Florida State College ~$16,751
Most Expensive: Nova Southeastern University ~$142,900
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought and factually showcase the cheapest early childhood education bachelor’s degree online. The affordable early childhood education degrees online listed above the gray dividing line are official “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
25 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degrees Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | (FL) | $13,284.00 $26,738.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Florida Gateway College | (FL) | $13,420.00 $29,699.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Northwest Florida State College | (FL) | $16,631.00 $16,751.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | North Carolina Central University | (NC) | $22,040.00 $87,221.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | (WV) | $24,000.00 $46,620.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $27,226.00 | All Students |
7 | Florida International University | (FL) | $28,287.00 $42,334.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $28,587.00 | All Students |
9 | Central Methodist University | (MO) | $34,875.00 | All Students |
10 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $36,060.00 | All Students |
11 | University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $38,657.00 $45,377.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Mayville State University | (ND) | $40,351.00 | All Students |
13 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $40,505.00 | All Students |
14 | Charter Oak State College | (CT) | $40,672.00 $53,240.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Texas Woman's University | (TX) | $40,924.00 $89,884.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $41,887.00 $75,035.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Mayville State University | (ND) | $44,386.00 | All Students |
18 | Jackson State University | (MS) | $44,652.00 | All Students |
19 | Lynn University | (FL) | $45,200.00 | All Students |
20 | National Louis University | (IL) | $46,320.00 | All Students |
21 | Bluefield University | (VA) | $47,720.00 $30,320.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | Catawba College | (NC) | $48,360.00 | All Students |
23 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $48,619.00 $30,590.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
24 | Liberty University | (VA) | $48,892.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
25 | Bay Path University | (MA) | $49,200.00 $42,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
25 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $49,200.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Concordia University, St. Paul | (MN) | $50,400.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Eastern Oregon University | (OR) | $50,440.00 $58,000.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Saint Leo University | (FL) | $50,925.00 $31,725.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Point University | (GA) | $51,200.00 | All Students | |
Southern Wesleyan University | (SC) | $51,600.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $52,600.00 | All Students | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $52,704.00 $54,144.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | (MA) | $52,900.00 | All Students | |
 Fisher College | (MA) | $54,064.00 | All Students | |
Park University | (MO) | $55,560.00 $31,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
West Virginia University | (WV) | $55,680.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $56,280.00 | All Students | |
Central Michigan University | (MI) | $56,690.00 $35,930.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $57,472.00 | All Students | |
Rochester University | (MI) | $59,520.00 | All Students | |
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $62,274.00 $72,016.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $65,040.00 $35,760.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Eastern University | (PA) | $65,635.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $66,600.00 | All Students | |
Notre Dame College (School Closing) Bachelor of Arts in Education / Early Childhood Education 14 | (OH) | $68,040.00 | All Students | |
University of Michigan-Flint | (MI) | $68,694.00 $75,542.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Chaminade University of Honolulu | (HI) | $74,135.00 $33,935.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
California Baptist University | (CA) | $79,107.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $142,900.00 $100,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the affordable early childhood education degree online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
CAEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
NAEYC Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited online bachelor’s degree programs in early childhood education. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online bachelor degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire ECE bachelor’s degree online, including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an early childhood education bachelor’s degree online. The program must be available at least 80 percent through online learning and open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest ECE bachelor’s degrees online may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on early childhood education degree online cost for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Enroll in an ECE Bachelor’s Degree Online?
The teaching profession is one of the most engaging careers you can choose. Working with young children, while perhaps challenging, can be extremely rewarding.
For those who enjoy making a difference in the lives of children, here are some of the reasons why you should consider an affordable early childhood education degree online:
- Affordable Programs: According to our database, eight programs cost less than $30,000, and 11 cost less than $40,000. As such, you can complete an affordable early childhood education degree online with less than $10,000 in annual tuition.
- Strong Pay: The median salary for kindergarten teachers in May 2021 was over $60,000. This is roughly $15,000 more than the median salary for all occupations.
- Large Job Market: By 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that there will be over 1.5 million teachers, including 130,000 kindergarten teachers.
- Work Anywhere: No matter where you want to live, you can find teaching jobs. From the big city to the remote countryside, there is always a need for teachers.
Are you convinced? If you want to become a teacher, you’ll need the right education. An affordable early childhood education degree online may fit your needs.
What Does it Cost to Complete an Online Bachelor’s in Childhood Education?
What does an early childhood education degree online cost? According to our research, it can be quite affordable. While the tuition can be manageable, you need to understand the costs. By knowing the charges upfront, you’ll be ready to save for tuition, find scholarships, and pay for your education.
Average Cost
The average cost for a complete bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is roughly $49,400. Assuming students take a four-year track to complete their education, this comes out to roughly $12,350 annually and $6,175 per semester. With frugal savings and scholarships, this is certainly affordable, but the cost can be even lower.
Highest Cost
The early childhood education degree online cost can go much higher though. The most expensive is the BS in Child Development from Nova Southeastern University, which charges $142,900 for the degree. This means students are paying more than $35,000 each year for this bachelor’s program. (The second-most-expensive drops all the way down to $79,107.)
Lowest Cost: Top Three
#1. Florida State College at Jacksonville – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The most affordable early childhood education degree online comes from Florida State College at Jacksonville. This four-year program costs a total of $13,284 for Florida residents. Students outside the Sunshine State can expect to pay $26,738 in all, which is the second cheapest tuition for out-of-state students online.
Students in this program prepare to serve students from preschool through third grade. A practical and hands-on curriculum focuses on instilling developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Course topics include child growth and development, program development in early childhood education, children’s literature, behavior management, and more. Emphasizing real-world applications, students will complete over 150 hours of field work, develop a professional portfolio, complete a student teaching internship, and pass three Florida Teacher Certification Exams (GK, PED, and PK-3).
#2. Florida Gateway College – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
With an in-state price tag of $13,420 and programmatic accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the bachelor’s degree from Florida Gateway College is a solid choice for aspiring educators. The $29,699 tuition for non-Florida residents ranks fifth on our list for out-of-state students.
Key aspects of this program focus on child observation and assessment, child development, family-teacher relationships, community connections, and professionalism. Participants will learn how to craft teaching strategies that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for their students. Courses also cover special areas including the health, nutrition, and safety of young children, utilizing positive behavioral supports in inclusive early childhood settings, and teaching young children with special needs.
#3. Northwest Florida State College – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education / Birth through Four
Specializing in the youngest learners, this bachelor’s program from Northwest Florida State College focuses on the needs of children from birth through age 4. The program not only ranks as the 3rd most affordable early childhood education degree online for in-state tuition ($16,631), but it is also the #1 cheapest online program for out-of-state students ($16,751).
At Northwest Florida, students can start their educational journey with an online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, rolling those credits into the bachelor’s program where they will focus on technical, upper-division coursework. Participants will explore techniques to effectively teach language arts, social studies, math, science, art, and music concepts to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
In addition to these essentials, graduates will understand how to work with families from diverse backgrounds, ways to facilitate children’s social development, and how to teach young children with special needs.
Online Early Childhood Education Degrees: What to Expect
These degrees fall under the specific category of “early childhood education.” However, there are different types and concentrations that may be best for your career and goals.
Bachelor of Science
Most of these degrees are bachelor of science, or BS, programs. These programs take a scientific and logical approach to teaching. They focus on proven strategies and established techniques to create the best learning conditions. Scientific research methods are often part of a BS degree.
Bachelor of Arts
A few of the programs on our list, however, are bachelor of arts, or BA, degrees. There is a lot of overlap between the two, but a bachelor of arts in early childhood education focuses more on the theories and ideas of education, with less emphasis on hard science and data. That said, the differences are often subtle and at times negligible.
Credits and Completion Time
To complete an early childhood education bachelor’s degree online, you should expect four years of study. This can be reduced by taking summer classes or accelerated courses, but most students need four years with eight total semesters to complete the education.
Bachelor programs require at least 120 credit hours. The bachelor’s from the University of New Hampshire, for example, requires 128 total credits. General education courses comprise 40 of these, while another 60 are from the major. Another 28 credits are open elective classes.
Concentrations
Some early childhood education bachelor’s degree online programs have unique focus areas. For example, some degrees focus less on the early classroom and more on childhood development. The BS in Child Development & Family Studies from West Virginia University, which we will look at in more detail below, is a prime example. This degree is less about direct classroom work and more about the mental and physical development of children. Among many subjects, it studies socio-emotional development, infant development, and stress in families.
Courses in a Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Online
To help you understand the coursework in an ECE bachelor’s degree online, let’s look at three examples of programs in our database:
University of New Hampshire – BS in Early Childhood Education
We’ve already discussed how the University of New Hampshire requires 128 credit hours for their Early Childhood Education bachelor’s program. The general education classes include topics like visual communication, statistics, human behavior, and natural sciences. You will also need to complete at least one class from the “Human Thought and Expression” category, which includes subjects like art history, literature, creative writing, and civilization.
You’ll also complete 60 credit hours specific to the major. These include child development, math in early education, toddler development, and the signs of neglect or abuse.
West Virginia University – BS in Child Development & Family Studies
In this program, you’ll complete classes that focused on the family and childhood development. They include courses titled “Families Across the Life Span,” “Introduction to Parenting,” “Infant Toddler Language and Literacy,” and “Developmental Assessment for Young Children with Special Needs.”
Vanguard University of Southern California – BA in Early Childhood Education
As a bachelor of arts degree, this program includes a variety of classes based in theory and philosophy. Examples include the spiritual formation of young children, teaching in a diverse society, and child development and growth. Like all bachelor’s degrees, there will also be gen ed classes in history, literature, math, and other classic subjects.
Accreditation for Childhood Education Degrees
Accreditation is an important part of the academic system. Groups called accrediting bodies review schools and degree programs for quality and consistency, helping to ensure that more students receive a high-quality education.
Accreditation is granted to entire schools, as well as specific degrees. A college or university can receive institutional accreditation, which applies to the entire school. Regional groups like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) grant this type of accreditation.
When a specific degree has approval, it’s called programmatic accreditation. This is granted by topic-specific organizations. For example, a nursing degree can receive accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
For education degrees like the ones found in our database, the most important accrediting body is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This group examines degrees for teachers in K-12 education, not just young children. Many degrees on our list have accreditation from the CAEP.
A few of the programs in our database accredited by the CAEP include:
- North Carolina Central University – BS in Early Childhood Education (B-K)
- Fort Hays State University – BS in Early Childhood Unified
- Western New Mexico University – BS in Early Childhood Education
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Another important group in this category is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which looks specifically at teaching degrees for small children.
One NAEYC-accredited program in our database is the Bachelor of Applied Arts / Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development & Learning from Central Michigan University.
No matter the major, making sure a degree has accreditation will improve your chances of receiving a high-quality education that is respected in the industry.
Typical Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree can be challenging, so schools have specific admission requirements to ensure students are prepared for these programs. These admission requirements may include testing, high school GPAs, reference letters, and more.
Requirements vary by school. Let’s look at the admission requirements for two schools that offer an ECE bachelor’s degree online:
West Virginia University
West Virginia has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, which means a C average. You will need to send transcripts, but the school does not require ACT or SAT scores in certain cases.
Southern Wesleyan University
Incoming freshmen must submit an official high school transcript and either SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. There is also a “test-optional” admission process that allows you to enroll without these tests. In this case, you will either need a 3.0 or higher GPA or you must submit your GPA along with a written essay. If your GPA is below 3.0, the school also encourages at least one letter of recommendation.
While the admission standards can seem like a hurdle, most applicants with a decent academic record will be able to enroll in an affordable early childhood education degree online.
Licensing and Certification for Early Childhood Teachers
Licensing is required for certain professionals. Doctors, lawyers, and civil engineers are a few examples. Teachers are part of this group, as every teacher at a public school must have licensure or certification. Requirements vary, but most states require teachers to complete a formal exam to become certified.
To understand the process, it helps to look at an example. In Michigan, for instance, you must:
- Complete an approved preparation program, which should be at least a bachelor’s-level degree
- Complete required reading courses
- Pass first-aid classes
- Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, which varies depending on specialty and grade level
Once these steps are complete, you can begin teaching. However, recertification will be required. Most states require recertification every three to five years. Again, we’ll look at Michigan, which re-certifies teachers every five years, for an example. To recertify, you must complete 150 hours of professional learning. If you complete a master’s degree in teaching during this time, it can count as your professional learning. An out-of-state teaching certificate may be used once to renew the certificate.
Salary and Career Outlook: Kindergarten Teachers and Early Educators
Teachers have tough jobs, and while people don’t enter these careers strictly for financial gains, there are plenty of educators who earn impressive incomes.
According to the BLS, the median salary for kindergarten teachers (not including special education) is $60,900. That’s over $15,000 more than the median salary for all occupations. There is opportunity for even higher salaries as well. The top 10% of kindergarten teachers earn over $98,000 a year.
The income is strong, but the job market is stable as well. The BLS says that between 2021 and 2031, the profession of kindergarten teacher will grow by 4%. This is slightly under the expected national growth of 5%, but by the end of this ten-year period, the BLS expects over 1.5 million kindergarten and elementary-school teachers.
The career may not be accelerating as fast as other industries (tech and healthcare, for example), but if you have a teaching degree you can anticipate a stable career that brings a strong income.
What’s Next?: Continuing Education for Early Childhood Educators
Once you complete a bachelor’s degree, you have met the minimum education requirements for becoming a teacher. However, you will need to complete continuing education on a regular basis, and you may want to consider further degrees, such as a master’s in curriculum and instruction or early childhood education.
A master’s in teaching, for example, helps you better understand the learning and development of young children. You’ll have a strong understanding of how their minds work and why they think in certain ways. Skills and knowledge may include positive intervention methods, curriculum for young children, and classroom management.
You may also complete a certificate or specialization. These may include additional education in literacy support, working with special-needs youth, or music therapy, among a variety of other subjects.
As we have discussed, you’ll need to renew your license. This may require a certain amount of continuing education credits in addition to retaking the test every three to five years.
No matter your profession, learning is an ongoing process. With continuing education, seminars, certificates, and even a master’s degree in teaching, you’ll always be prepared to deliver the excellent education your young students deserve!
Start a Career That Will Make You Proud!
Whether you are fresh out of high school or want to return to the classroom to finish your degree, an affordable early childhood education degree online can help you gain essential skills for this important career. Use the resources on GetEducated.com today to get information on the top ECE bachelor’s degrees online.