The 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education in 2021

With four unique tracks, Pacific Oaks College boasts one of the best online BA in Early Childhood Education programs for students who want specialized training. A degree-completion program with a focus on upper-level coursework, this BA only requires applicants to have at least 60 transferrable credits on their transcript - but not necessarily an associate's degree in education. Once they transfer, online learners can select their path from options that include STEAM and Dual Teaching Credential. The former emphasizes the importance of introducing children to science, technology, engineering, art, and math at a young age, while the latter qualifies graduates for the California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

• Graduation rate: This institution did not admit full-time first-time undergraduate-level students in the cohort year, therefore graduation rate information was not reported.
• School status: Private non-profit
• Tuition cost: $$$$$
• Location: Pasadena, CA
• Standardized test scores/requirements: No test score requirements, but a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher is required
• Av. grad salary: On average, Pacific Oaks College graduates earn between $38,000 and $40,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: (877)-314-2380 or this link.
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Florida International University's fully-online ECE program includes all four years of required coursework, meaning applicants don't need an associate's degree - or any transferable credits - to enroll. Both inexperienced and experienced students stand to benefit from FIU's cheap online early childhood education degree, which will quickly submerge you in foundational courses on classroom management, educational psychology, and instructional decision-making. And that's only the start; advanced classes focus on child development, family and community studies, and literacy development, among other topics. As an added perk, FIU encourages its distance learners to pursue Honors College status, for which they'll receive access to a personal faculty mentor plus unique internship, job, and study abroad opportunities.

• Graduation rate: 54%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$$
• Location: Miami, FL
• Standardized test scores/requirements: FIU requires an official high school transcript, official ACT or SAT scores, and a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Av. grad salary: On average, Florida International University graduates earn between $14,000 and $72,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: 855.563.6653 or this link.
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Technically, Chaminade University's accredited online early childhood education program does not result in teaching licensure. However, it does offer a unique Montessori Credential that specifically prepares students to work with young children in private school settings. The curriculum for this track meets Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) standards and includes two mandatory field assignments. And if you're not interested in this credential, you can opt for Chaminade's standard BS track instead. Graduates of this program - which is aligned with state requirements as well as the standards of the NAEYC - should have no problem finding work as private-school teachers and facilitators at early care centers.

• Graduation rate: 49%
• School status: Private non-profit
• Tuition cost: $$$$$
• Location: Honolulu, HI
• Standardized test scores/requirements: No test scores required; a high school transcript or GED is required
• Av. grad salary: On average, Chaminade University of Honolulu students earn between $27,000 and $62,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: (808) 735-4711 or this link.
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Arkansas Tech pairs with two local community colleges (North Arkansas and Ozarka) to offer its affordable online early childhood education program. As an ECE major, you'll complete most of the coursework for your associate's degree online through ATU. You can then continue to work toward your BS in Early Childhood Education by combining additional courses from ATU with other requirements from North Arkansas or Ozarka CC. While probably not ideal for out-of-state applicants, Arkansas residents should certainly consider this option. The curriculum meets assessment guidelines for CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials and even incorporates a teaching practicum into lower-level requirements.

• Graduation rate: 45%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$
• Location: Russellville, AR
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school transcript, ATU requires a composite ACT score of 19 or above or a composite SAT score of 1010.
• Av. grad salary: On average, Arkansas Tech graduates earn between $16,000 and $58,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: (844) 804-2628 or [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].
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To qualify for the University of Toledo's ECE program, applicants must hold an AA in either early childhood education or childhood development. Ideal applicants also have at least some work experience on their resume and are currently employed at an early care or education center. Though some of these requirements may seem unnecessary or cumbersome, they are in fact crucial for students who want to be successful in UT's top online early childhood education program. And by limiting enrollment to a select group of degree candidates who share similar education and skill levels, the university can push a more challenging curriculum - complete with learning themes like "Supporting ECE Science and Math" and "Creating Effective Learning Environments."

• Graduation rate: 44%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$$
• Location: Toledo, OH
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school diploma, UT requires a minimum 2.7 GPA and minimum ACT composite score of 21, or an SAT composite score of 1060.
• Av. grad salary: On average, University of Toledo graduates earn between $20,000 and $76,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: 800.586.5336 or this link. 
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Bluefield College's BS in Early Childhood Education offers an experience-oriented curriculum that requires degree candidates to complete an intensive capstone internship course. By the end of the class, students will accrue an impressive 120 hours of fieldwork. But it's not just about quantity - ECE majors can also tailor the details of their internship to match their professional plans. For example, you might choose to gain management experience by working in an administrative position or strengthening your teaching skills by working directly with students in a classroom. It's this emphasis on hands-on, practical learning that makes Bluefield's accredited online early childhood education program one of the best around.

• Graduation rate: 50%
• School status: Private non-profit
• Tuition cost: $$$$$
• Location: Bluefield, VA
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school transcript or GED, Bluefield College requires test scores. On average, students with an SAT score between 900 and 1070 or an ACT score between 16 and 22 are admitted.
• Av. grad salary: On average, Bluefield College graduates earn between $16,000 and $57,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: 800.872.0175 pr [email protected]
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For students who require flexibility, UNC Greensboro delivers one of the top early childhood education bachelor' degrees online. The curriculum is specifically geared towards North Carolina community college transfer students who have already received their AA degree. Once they've transferred, BS candidates can choose to acquire their remaining credits through either of two distinct tracks. First, the "Birth through Kindergarten" licensure track prepares students for teaching careers in early education classrooms. Or for a broader, more versatile education, program members can choose the BS in Early Care and Education, which will prepare them for non-licensure work in hospitals, child care centers, and private kindergartens.

• Graduation rate: 56%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$$
• Location: Greensboro, NC
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school transcript or GED, UNCG requires test scores. On average, students with an SAT score between 520-620 evidence-based reading and writing, and 510-600 math, or an ACT score around 23 are admitted.
• Av. grad salary: On average, UNCG graduates earn between $20,000 and $68,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: (336)-334-5307 or [email protected]
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Although a non-licensure program, Eastern Oregon University nonetheless offers a great option for students preparing to enter the early childhood sector. First off, candidates can earn their accredited, early childhood education degree online in just two years at EOU. And once they graduate, alumni can procure jobs as teachers, program directors, and even policymakers within the education sector. EOU also represents a speedy, affordable alternative for those who plan to earn their master's degree in teaching. With thoughtful classes like "Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities" and "Literature for Young Children," the curriculum provides a sound foundation for students who want to take their education to the next level.

• Graduation rate: 31%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$$
• Location: La Grande, OR
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school diploma, EOU requires a minimum 2.75 GPA.
• Av. grad salary: On average, EOU graduates earn between $31,000 and $93,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: (800)-452-8639 or this link.
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Before applying to Lewis-Clark State's BAS program, you'll first need to complete your associate's degree in early childhood development. After earning your AA, you can transfer up to 50 credits to LCSC and complete your remaining requirements through their BAS curriculum. The advantage of this approach is that students can jump straight into upper-level coursework and start acquiring hands-on experience almost immediately after enrolling in this top online early education program. Experiential learning comes primarily in the form of an internship, through which degree candidates gain the valuable, career-oriented skills that potential employers seek. ECE majors who want extra training can opt for a second, intermediate-level internship as well.

• Graduation rate: 27%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $$$
• Location: Lewiston, ID
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school diploma, Lewis-Clark State College requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, ACT composite score of 17, or SAT combined score of 780.
• Av. grad salary: On average, Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn between $24,000 and $65,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact: 208-792-5272 or this link.
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Non-traditional learners can easily afford a top early childhood education degree online at Wayland Baptist University. The degree is especially suitable for current teachers as well as teaching assistants and program administrators. In fact, you can leverage your work experience to receive as many as twelve credits of coursework toward your degree. This will leave you with just 24 hours of upper-level classes to complete - a manageable mission even for full-time professionals. And with 15 metropolitan locations across the country, WBU considers accessibility a priority. Though the degree offers a 100% online option, students from Anchorage to Phoenix can easily access onsite classes, most of which meet conveniently at night.

• Graduation rate: 32%
• School status: Private non-profit
• Tuition cost: $$$$
• Location: Plainview, TX
• Standardized test scores/requirements: Along with a high school diploma, WBU requires an ACT composite score of at least 18, or SAT combined score of at least 860.
• Av. grad salary: On average, WBU graduates earn between $27,000 and $44,000. However, as a teacher pay will depend on state and district guidelines. 
• Contact:  806-291-1000 or this link.
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