Best Early Childhood Education Degrees Online

If you love working with young children and want to make a career out of it, consider earning a degree in early childhood education. Early childhood education programs help you develop skills like leadership and communication, as well as classroom management, curriculum development, and child advocacy.

You can earn an early childhood education degree online and start working in preschools, elementary schools, or related centers to support child development. In this guide, find everything you need to decide if this degree is right for you, including common courses, career paths, and average salaries.

Early childhood education degree programs focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to educate infants and young children as they undergo rapid cognitive and physical changes. You’ll learn about the developmental stages of young children, appropriate teaching methodologies, adaptive curriculum planning, and how to address developmental delays.

An early childhood education degree can lay the groundwork for you to work as a preschool teacher or director at a daycare center. Some programs can also prepare you to pursue a teaching certificate.

There are benefits to earning your bachelor’s in childhood education online. Online bachelor’s degree programs offer the flexibility for you to balance your studies with work or family commitments. With online degrees, you can also access highly ranked programs from any location.

An associate degree is enough to secure an entry-level position in early childhood education, such as assistant preschool teacher. With a bachelor’s degree, you could become a lead preschool teacher or preschool director. With an additional teaching certificate, this degree can also qualify you to work as an elementary teacher for K-3 students. Check your state’s specific teaching requirements.

Take your time when exploring your options for earning an online degree in early childhood education. The first school you find might not be the right fit. Many institutions offer online programs, so it can be beneficial to remain discerning.

Schools may charge a lower tuition rate to in-state learners. Some online programs, however, offer flat-rate tuition to all enrollees, regardless of location.

As you research tuition and other fees, consider that private institutions typically cost more than public schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for in-state college students was $9,750 for the 2022-2023 academic year.

For private universities, that average was $35,250. This means that over four years, you can expect to pay between $39,000 and $141,000 for tuition, respectively. At some schools, you can access in-state tuition as an out-of-state online student.

While online tuition prices vary dramatically from school to school, online education degrees cost less, on average, than on-campus degrees, according to the NCES. Online school rankings can help you evaluate cost and quality.

To complete your degree more quickly, consider enrolling in a full-time or accelerated program. Online degrees add convenience, allowing you to earn your degree without being tied to a specific location. If you have a busy schedule and prefer a slower pace, a part-time program can offer greater flexibility.

Typically, full-time students complete bachelor’s degree programs in four years, while part-time students take six to eight years. With an accelerated degree program, you could enter the workforce faster or pursue a graduate degree more quickly, completing your bachelor’s and master’s in as few as five years.

Most early childhood education programs require in-person practicums or residencies. If you live in a different part of the country from your university, pay close attention to a program’s on-campus requirements. In some cases, you may be able to fulfill these requirements at a local school or childcare center.

Always ensure that your online early childhood education program is accredited. Universities can be accreditated at both the institutional and programmatic levels. Attending an accredited institution ensures that you can receive federal financial aid and transfer credits between schools.

The DE and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee accreditation agencies to ensure their integrity. To learn more, check out CHEA’s list of accrediting bodies. You can also search the database of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to find accredited early childhood education programs. Other programmatic accreditors for early childhood education include:

Early childhood education is a versatile degree and can open the door to various careers. Further, you can choose to earn your teaching credential and work in elementary schools or special education.

Common careers for people with an early childhood education degree include preschool teacher, childcare worker, preschool and childcare center director, and teacher assistant. This degree could also be the starting point from which to pursue advanced degrees and careers such as curriculum developer or principal.

While curricula will vary based on specialization, a typical curriculum in early childhood education covers topics including special education, classroom organization, and emerging literacy assessment methods. Some common courses are:

The best online early childhood education degree depends on your career goals and personal interests. In general, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education offers excellent preparation for most early childhood education careers.

However, if you want to pursue leadership or administrative roles, consider earning a master’s degree in childhood education.

A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education can help qualify you to work as a preschool teacher, childcare worker, childcare center director, teacher assistant, or a K-3 elementary school teacher.

If you prefer behind-the-scenes roles, you could become a curriculum developer, educational consultant, or school counselor. These administrative positions typically require an advanced degree and additional certifications.

A typical bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education takes about four years of full-time study to complete. Some online programs may offer accelerated options with shorter degree completion timelines.

In general, early childhood education is not a very lucrative field, but it allows you to perform fulfilling work helping young children. Earning an early childhood education degree can also put you in a better position to ask for raises and promotions than peers without postsecondary education.

How much you can make as an early childhood educator depends on your individual career path. At the low end, according to the BLS, the median annual salary for a preschool teacher is $37,130, and childcare workers earn $30,370.

If you become a special education teacher, the median annual salary is nearly double that at $65,910. Becoming a preschool director is another higher-paying career option, with a median salary of $54,290. If you want to become a kindergarten or elementary school teacher, the median salary is $63,670.

Where you live will also affect your earning potential. According to the BLS, the states with the highest average salaries for preschool teachers are Colorado, California, New Jersey, and Nebraska.