2020 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Degrees Online
Ranked by affordability, these 22 schools all offer online low-cost bachelor's degrees in early childhood education. In first place, Aspen University is the most affordable school, with a tuition rate of $4,500. Classes for Aspen University's B.S. in Early Childhood Education include Children with Special Needs, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Preschool and School Age Settings, Infant and Toddler Mental Health, Play and Learning for the Preschool Child, and Professionalism and Growth in the Early Childhood Field. Western Carolina University comes in second place, with an affordable tuition rate of $5,670 per year.
You can read more about our ranked schools below or see our Overall Most Affordable Colleges. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen University | $4,500 | |
| Western Carolina University | $5,670 | |
| Northwestern College - IA | $5,695 | |
| University of the Cumberlands | $6,368 | |
| St. Catherine University | $6,675 | |
| Wichita State University | $6,708 | |
| Florida Gateway College | $6,915 | |
| Fort Hays State University | $6,997 | |
| Fayetteville State University | $7,556 | |
| Central Methodist University | $7,800 | |
| North Seattle College | $8,391 | |
| Bay Mills Community College | $8,550 | |
| Lynn University | $9,300 | |
| Texas Tech University | $9,540 | |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | $10,061 | |
| Mayville State University | $10,065 | |
| Iowa State University | $10,080 | |
| National Louis University | $10,260 | |
| University of Cincinnati | $10,342 | |
| Florida International University | $10,376 | |
| South Dakota State University | $10,537 | |
| West Virginia University | $12,780 |
Aspen University Denver (CO) Aspen University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies and Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies degree completion program for students with previous college credit. The curriculum follows professional standards set by the Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Students take courses in child development, educational psychology, and curriculum design. The program is not intended to be a teacher certification program or lead to state licensure. Instead,... it prepares graduates for work in child care organizations, early childhood education programs, and private kindergartens or elementary schools. Online coursework is hosted on the Brightspace learning management system, where students can access the syllabus, submit assignments, and participate in discussion boards. Classwork follows an asynchronous format, and students are expected to meet assignment and project deadlines. Aspen University offers a monthly payment plan with a zero-percent fixed interest rate. Students must pay $250 per month for 80 months and are not required to make a down payment. Additionally, students may receive credit for life/work experience, which can include military training, continuing education courses, seminars, or training programs. Applicants must submit an online application and official transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students enrolling in a bachelor's degree program without previously earned college credit will be conditionally accepted, pending successful completion of a communications class.
Example Classes: Children with Special Needs, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Preschool and School Age Settings, Infant and Toddler Mental Health, Play and Learning for the Preschool Child, Professionalism and Growth in the Early Childhood Field Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Western Carolina University Cullowhee (NC) Western Carolina University (WCU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Birth-Kindergarten Education with a concentration in either Early Childhood or Professional Education. Students who are interested in working in a public school setting should select the 39-credit Professional Education option, which requires that students pass the Praxis I exam and complete two semesters of internships. Those interested in working in a non-public school setting should opt for the 30-credit Early Childhood... specialization. Both programs require 42 credits for liberal studies, 30 credits for birth-kindergarten core courses, and 9-15 credits of elective courses. Online coursework is hosted on the Blackboard learning management system and may follow a blended synchronous and asynchronous format. WCU offers a separate distance learning tuition and fee rate for online students. The NC Promise Tuition Plan provides all residential and online undergraduate students with reduced tuition rates. Additionally, various merit- and need-based scholarships are available. Online students have access to tutoring support, library and technology resources, career services, and a distance orientation. Admission into the program is competitive, and students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75. Prospective students are expected to have some credits before enrolling. Undergraduate distance learning programs are not intended for first-year students who want to register full-time. Transfer students must complete an online application and submit transcripts.
Example Classes: Adult-Child Interaction, Infant Development and Curriculum, Promoting Social-Emotional Competence, The Exceptional Child Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Northwestern College - IA Orange City (IA) Northwestern College-Iowa offers a fully-online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood degree completion program. The program can be completed in two years and requires 124 credits, including 33 credits of early childhood courses, four credits of Northwestern education core courses, and elective courses. The curriculum focuses on child development, assessment, behavior, and educational policy. To graduate, students must complete field-based assignments and an early childhood professional portfolio.... Graduates are prepared for roles in Head Start programs, child care centers, preschool programs, and before- and after-school early childhood programs. Online coursework is asynchronous and is hosted on the Blackboard learning management system. Students in the program may be eligible for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship. Northwestern College offers reduced tuition rates for online programs, and students have the option to enroll in payment plans. No interest is charged unless the payment is late. Additionally, students have access to an academic and enrollment advisor. At a minimum, prospective students must have an associate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.25. Candidates must complete an online application and submit official transcripts to be considered.
Example Classes: Children’s Health and Well-Being, Highly Individualized Teaching & Learning, Positive Behavioral Support for Young Children I, Resiliency and Wellness for Educators, Supporting Dual Language Learners, Supporting Language and Literacy Development in Preschool Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg (KY)
Example Classes: Health and Safety Issues and Services, Hispanic Popular Culture, Instructional and Assistive Technology, Methods and Materials for teaching Kindergarten, Teaching Infants and Toddlers, Working with Parents and Children of all Cultures Online Bachelor's Degrees
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St. Catherine University Saint Paul (MN)
Example Classes: Creative Expression in Early Childhood, Emergent Literacy in the Content Areas, Infant and Toddler Methods and Materials, Teaching and Learning in the Lower Elementary Classroom, The Art of Classroom Management and Assessment, Understanding of Diverse Family Experiences and Student Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Wichita State University Wichita (KS)
Example Classes: Classroom Management and Pedagogy, Early Childhood Unified Assessment and Methods: Infants, Toddlers and Preschool (B-PreK), Family and Professional Collaboration, Inquiry Based Learning, Math for Exceptionalities, Special Education Law Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Florida Gateway College Lake City (FL)
Example Classes: Designing and Implementing a Blended Curriculum, Education and Development of Young Children, Integrated Math and Science in Early Childhood, Parents as Teachers/Field Experience, Principles and Methods for Teaching Early Childhood Social Studies, Young Children with Special Needs Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Fort Hays State University Hays (KS)
Example Classes: Child Care Management & Admin, Child Care Management & Administration, Creative Expressions Methods, Diverse Learners, Educating Exceptional Students, Educational Psychology, Programs, Procedures, & Issues in Special Education Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Fayetteville State University Fayetteville (NC)
Example Classes: Birth Through Kindergarten Curriculum Development, Current Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education, Family Culture and School, Introduction to Birth through Kindergarten Education, Observation and Assessment in Preschool Education, Teaching the Young Child with Special Needs Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Central Methodist University Fayette (MO)
Example Classes: Creative Arts, Emergent Language, Infant/Toddler Curriculum Methods & Materials, Methods/Materials for Teaching Content Classes, Reading and Writing with Young Children, Screening, Diagnosis, & Planning Instruction Online Bachelor's Degrees
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North Seattle College Seattle (WA)
Example Classes: Anti-Bias Education, Children and Media, Creative Expression, Information Literacy for Undergraduate Research, Language, Literacy and Communication, Partnership and Collaboration in Early Care and Education Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Bay Mills Community College Brimley (MI)
Example Classes: Developing Family Partnerships, Emergent Literacy, Health, Safety, & Nutrition for Early Childhood, Inclusion of Special Needs Preschoolers in Early Childhood Programs, Managing the Environment for Development and Learning, Social & Emotional Needs of Children Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Lynn University Boca Raton (FL)
Example Classes: Art, Music and Movement, Children at Risk, Creative Activities, Differentiated Instruction and Effective Teaching Strategies, Pre-Primary Language Arts, Sheltered Content Instruction for English Language Learners Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Texas Tech University Lubbock (TX)
Example Classes: Assessing Young Children and their Environments to Enhance Development, Diversity in the Lives of Young Children and Families, Technology and Young Children, Understanding and Adapting for Developmental Differences, Working with Families Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro (NC)
Example Classes: Administration of Dependent Care Programs, Assessment and Planning for Inclusive B-K Programs, Families and Children in Global Perspective, Families and Close Relationships, Human Development Across the Life Span, Infants and Toddlers: Development, Learning, and Curriculum Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Mayville State University Mayville (ND)
Example Classes: Art, Music, and Plat in ECE, Language Literacy in ECE, Observation, Assessment, Interpretation Techniques, Pre-K Methods/Materials, Science for Elementary Teachers, Social/Emotional Development and Guidance Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Iowa State University Ames (IA)
Example Classes: Assessing Young Children and their Environments to Enhance Development, Development of Curriculum for Children Ages 4 to 8, Development of Curriculum for Children Ages Birth to 3, Diversity in the Lives of Young Children and Families, Technology and Young Children, Working with Families Online Bachelor's Degrees
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National Louis University Chicago (IL)
Example Classes: Early Language and Literature Development, Integrated Preprimary Methodology in Early Childhood Education, Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Methods of Teaching Science, Methods of Teaching Social Studies, Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Assessment Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of Cincinnati Cincinnati (OH) (and 1 other)
Example Classes: Developmental Concerns Birth-5 and Family Partnerships, Developmental Transitions: Childhood to Adulthood, Individuals with Exceptionalities, Infant and Toddler Care and Education, Language Development in Young Children, Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development in Infant and Toddlers Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Florida International University Miami (FL)
Example Classes: Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Young Child, Cultural/Social Foundations of Education, General Instruction Decision Making, Issues in Early Childhood Education, Play and Development of Social Competence, Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in Inclusive Settings Online Bachelor's Degrees
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South Dakota State University Brookings (SD)
Example Classes: Child Guidance and Classroom Environments, Development of Curriculum for Children Ages 4 to 8, Diversity in the Lives of Young Children and Families, Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Young Children, Professional Development for Early Childhood Education Providers, Understanding and Adapting to Developmental Differences Online Bachelor's Degrees
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West Virginia University Morgantown (WV)
Example Classes: Contemporary Issues in Family Relations, Creative Dramatics, Early Socio-Emotional Growth, First Aid and Emergency Care, Infant Toddler Language and Literacy, Technology for Young Children with/without Special Needs Online Bachelor's Degrees
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