ece top online early childood education degree programs 01

Author: Amy
Reviewed by: Brenda Rufener
Reading Level: Grade 10
Reading Time: 13 minutes, 14 seconds
Original Publication Date: May 2014
Updates: 142

Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education provide students with advanced skills in child growth and development. You can use the degree to launch a career as a teacher, preschool director, or daycare coordinator. But where do you start searching for this type of degree?

Online early childhood education programs are found at many accredited colleges and universities. Ten of the best online ECE programs are listed below.

Methodology:

To find the top 10 online colleges for Early Childhood Education, we awarded accredited schools with a point system.

  • Number of unique features of program (1/2): the number of unique features, including but not limited to top financial aid, time-until-degree accelerated, specializations, and practicums.
  • Affordability (1/2): undergraduate tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.
RankSchoolUndergraduate TuitionPoints
#1Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
$10,440 (in-state)
$27,924 (out-of-state)
2/2
#2Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
$17,8002/2
#3Post University
Waterbury, Connecticut
$16,6102/2
#4Indian Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
$8,1202/2
#5Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
$22,5111/2
#6Vanguard University
Costa Mesa, California
$38,7001/2
#7Purdue Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
$10,134 (in-state)
$14,445 (out-of-state)
2/2
#8University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
$16,952 (in-state)
$38,171 (out-of-state)
2/2
#9Park University
Parkville, Missouri
$12,6712/2
#10Northwestern College
Orange City, Iowa
$34,2501/2
The most recent tuition and fees was taken from the National Center for Education Statistics – College Navigator

Ranking the Top 10 Online Colleges with Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Programs 

We ranked the following schools according to the quality, distinction, and comprehensiveness of its Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree program.

1. Ball State University

Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Ball State University is a four-year university with a student population of 19,777. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the school offers ranked programs like the early childhood education degree (accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).

This 90-credit hour program is online, providing flexible courses to busy, working students with associate degrees in ECE. Students complete coursework in a flexible, asynchronous format. Course offerings include studies in child development, early childhood language, and family relations. Students can also choose different minors to help complement their degree. Options include:

  • early intervention
  • applied behavior analysis
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • exceptional needs: early childhood special education
  • psychology of human development

Pros

  • Low student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1
  • Teacher license options
  • T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship options
  • Transfer credits accepted (up to 90 credits)

Cons

  • Limited number of diverse programs
  • Only early childhood credentials

2. Grand Canyon University

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit university with 101,000 students. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, GCU ranks as one of the best online schools for early childhood education. 

Students can get an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. The program consists of 120 credit hours. Course components include:

  • Child Psychology
  • Early Literacy Development
  • Educating the Exceptional Learner

Students receive hands-on training and practical experiences that prepare them for work as elementary and early childhood education teachers. To help offset the cost of this online program, the school offers many scholarships and options for financial aid.

Pros

  • Accelerated online courses (7 weeks)
  • Leads to initial teacher licensure
  • Transfer credits accepted (up to 90)

Cons

  • High student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1
  • Large student population (101,816 students)

3. Post University

Bachelor of Science in Child Studies

Program Website

Post University is a private, for-profit university with over 17,000 students. It has received accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. The school offers an online BS in Child Studies degree for students interested in exploring early childhood education and developmentally appropriate teaching.

The program consists of 120 credit hours with courses covering topics like creative activities and emergent literacy. Students also learn about educational psychology. The program allows you to take part in hands-on activities and field experiences that further develop your knowledge in the field. Another bonus of the program, especially those with associate’s degrees, is that you can transfer up to 90 credits from an accredited college or university.

Pros

  • Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • Diverse course selections in humanities, behavioral sciences, and social sciences
  • Special education courses
  • Supportive learning environment

Cons

  • Does not offer teacher licensure opportunities

4. Indiana Wesleyan University 

Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Indiana Wesleyan University is a private non-profit university that serves over 10,000 online students. For aspiring educators, the school offers early childhood education bachelor’s degrees accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).   

The online BS in Early Childhood Education has two pathways, licensure and non-licensure. The programs are flexible with no set login times. Diverse courses keep students engaged with relevant content. Some of the courses you can take in the program include:

  • Child Growth and Development
  • Instructional Tools for the Teaching of Reading
  • Educational Psychology for Early Learners

Outside the classroom there are many field experiences. Throughout the year, students get to practice the skills learned in the classroom and give back to the community. Graduates feel well prepared to enter the workforce, get licensed, and start a teaching career.

Pros

  • Field experiences in various childhood settings
  • Fully online
  • Licensure and non-licensure options

Cons

  • GPA requirements for graduation (2.75 minimum GPA)
  • Must pass pedagogy exams to graduate with licensure

5. Liberty University

Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Online

Program Website

Liberty University is a private, not-for-profit Virginia-based university serving over 96,000 students. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education that is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The program consists of 120 credit hours with options to transfer up to 90 credits. Students can complete their degree in three and a half years. Adding to the program’s flexibility are eight start dates each year. This gives students the opportunity to complete their degree at their own pace. While the program is online, students get access to featured courses and field experiences. Course topics covered include:

  • Early Childhood Education Fundamentals
  • Wellness in the Early Childhood Setting
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology of Childhood

Pros

  • Diverse learning theories and styles
  • Education practicum
  • Hands-on training and classroom experiences
  • Short, eight-week courses

Cons

  • Large student population (96,709 students)
  • Non-licensure pathway only

6. Vanguard University

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Vanguard University is a private, non-profit Christian school serving 2,256 students. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

VU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education that takes 18-24 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.  Students can choose between five- or seven-week courses that integrate faith and learning. To help tailor your degree, you can earn a concentration in transitional kindergarten and early childhood certificate. Major course requirements include:

  • Guiding the Young Child’s Behavior
  • Advanced Curriculum Design and Development in Early Childhood Education
  • The Exceptional Child and the Inclusive Classroom

Pros

  • Accelerated options available
  • Personal interactions with professors
  • Small class sizes

Cons

  • Limited number of certificates and licensing options

7. Purdue Global University

Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration

Program Website

Purdue University Global is a public four-year institution with over 45,000 students. The school offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration degree.

The online program consist of 34 classes that run ten weeks. These courses cover topics like:

  • Early Childhood Curriculum Planning
  • Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health
  • Early Childhood Family, Community, and Advocacy

The program helps aspiring educators build a strong foundation in early childhood education along with the business skills needed to be successful in administration. The program also offers options to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential alongside the degree. The time to complete the program is four years through online study.

Pros

  • Fully online degree
  • Multiple start dates throughout the year
  • Practical experience and internship options
  • Transfer credits accepted

Cons

  • Higher student-to-faculty ration of 26:1
  • Large student body population (45,125 students)

8. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

The University of Massachusetts University Without Walls serves over 32,000 students. It offers many online degrees, including a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This program is accredited the New England Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and open to seasoned and aspiring educators.

In the online ECE program, students cover many interdisciplinary courses. You can also design your own program and receive credit for prior coursework and life/work experience. Courses required for the degree include everything from child psychology to the survey of children’s literature. A large component of the program focuses on social diversity in education. Graduates of the program have knowledge and hands-on experience they can bring into the workforce.

Pros

  • Credit for work experience
  • Diverse selection of courses
  • Licensure assistance for different levels of certification
  • Transfer credits accepted (up to 105 credits)

Cons

  • Expensive out-of-state tuition
  • Large student population (32,229 students)

9. Park University

Bachelor of Science Education Studies – Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Park University is small, private college that serves over 7,600 students. The school offers online programs for undergraduates, including a BS in Education Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education Teaching Young Children. The National Association for the Education of Young Children accredits the program.

In this online program, students complete coursework that prepares them for careers as ECE leaders and administrators, curriculum coordinators, and program directors. Courses aren’t just lectures and seminars. They include field experience, classroom observations, and hands-on-training within an ECE setting. You can also minor in an area that complements your degree, such as sociology or psychology. There is also a leadership concentration that includes courses like:

  • public management and leadership
  • program planning and evaluation
  • financial aspects of ECE programs

Pros

  • Access to internship opportunities
  • Diverse collection of courses
  • Minors that complement the ECE degree
  • Small class sizes (14:1 student-to-faculty ratio)

Cons

  • Some hybrid requirements with practicum courses and internships

10. Northwestern College

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Program Website

Northwestern College is a private, not-for-profit college that serves 1,651 students. It is fully accredited with the Higher Learning Commission and offers online bachelor’s degree programs, including a BA in Early Childhood Education.

Students in the ECE program benefit from a quality, online education. Relevant courses prepare students to work in various roles including preschool teacher and day care program coordinator. Students take one-at-a-time courses that span eight-week terms. The flexible timeline helps students manage school and other obligations.

NC provides a seamless transfer for students coming in with their AA or AS degree. Financial aid opportunities are available, including the TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship and the Child Care WAGE$ Program.

Pros

  • Diverse selection of electives
  • Licensure option is available
  • Short, eight-week courses

Cons

  • Accepted students must have an AA, AS, or AAS degree
  • One religion course required, but a transfer equivalent course is accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an early childhood education degree worth it?

If you’re committed to helping young learners succeed in school and life, consider a degree in early childhood education. With this degree, you can find jobs as preschool childcare center directors, kindergarten teachers, and preschool teachers. Job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is on the rise. Employment in this field should see a 3% growth over the next 10 years, making the degree worth it to get.

What degree is best for early childhood education?

A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is a top choice for aspiring educators who want to work in the field. The degree can help you gain knowledge and experience needed for your first job. The bachelor’s in ECE is the most popular degree for preschool teachers.

How much can I make with an early childhood education degree?

It depends on the job, but you can make anywhere between $28,520/year (childcare worker) and $61,620/year (kindergarten teacher). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average pay for preschool teachers is $35,330/year. The top 10% in this profession make $58,580/year, on average.

How long does an online bachelor’s in early childhood education take?

Four years is the standard time it takes to get a bachelor’s degree in ECE. But some online programs with generous transfer credit policies take two years, on average. Many programs on our ranking take between 2-4 years to get an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

What jobs can I get with an early childhood education degree?

There are many jobs you can get with an ECE degree. Some options include:

• Childcare worker
• Kindergarten teacher
• Nanny
• Preschool and childcare center director
• Preschool teacher
• Special education teacher
• Teacher assistant

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