Working with young children requires a special mindset and a level of skill and knowledge. But people with a caring attitude, an appreciation for learning, and a wealth of patience should consider an associate’s degree in early childhood education. Often called an ECE associate’s degree online, this type of program is perfect for busy people who want a relatively fast education that can lead to many fantastic careers.
All the programs on this list will make you ready for immediate job placement in careers like preschool teacher, daycare provider, recreation worker, and more. We’ve compiled 38 degrees from schools accredited by major organizations. Best of all, each program is at least 80% online, creating greater convenience for your education.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): $10,800
Least Expensive In-state: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute ~$5,221
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Allen County Community College ~$7,560
Most Expensive: University of Cincinnati ~$26,352
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 fees, for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest early childhood education associate’s degree online. The online early childhood education degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
21 Cheapest Online ECE Associate Degree Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | (NC) | $5,221.00 $17,893.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Southwestern Community College - NC | (NC) | $5,522.00 $18,002.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Central Carolina Community College | (NC) | $5,590.00 $18,070.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Haywood Community College | (NC) | $5,674.00 $19,306.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,726.00 $19,358.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Craven Community College | (NC) | $5,727.00 $19,167.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Pima Community College | (AZ) | $5,730.00 $13,620.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Nash Community College | (NC) | $5,896.00 $19,528.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Surry Community College | (NC) | $5,936.00 $19,760.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Wake Technical Community College | (NC) | $6,010.00 $19,450.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Central Community College | (NE) | $6,820.00 $9,734.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Kennebec Valley Community College | (ME) | $7,100.00 $9,776.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Great Basin College | (NV) | $7,275.00 $10,693.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Allen County Community College | (KS) | $7,560.00 | All Students |
15 | Laurel Ridge Community College | (VA) | $9,898.00 $22,305.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Bevill State Community College | (AL) | $9,900.00 $17,400.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Barton Community College | (KS) | $9,920.00 | All Students |
18 | Northcentral Technical College | (WI) | $9,957.00 $14,404.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | (WV) | $10,080.00 $22,560.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | Ivy Tech Community College | (IN) | $10,473.00 $19,054.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Community Colleges of Spokane | (WA) | $10,536.00 $15,024.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | (VA) | $10,836.00 $23,836.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Carl Albert State College | (OK) | $11,403.00 | All Students | |
Blinn College | (TX) | $11,700.00 $21,120.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Snead State Community College | (AL) | $11,830.00 $20,580.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Kentucky Community and Technical College System | (KY) | $12,600.00 | All Students | |
Weber State University | (UT) | $13,328.00 $20,173.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Klamath Community College | (OR) | $13,725.00 $20,745.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
North Central Missouri College | (MO) | $13,800.00 | All Students | |
Minnesota State College Southeast | (MN) | $13,910.00 | All Students | |
Lewis-Clark State College | (ID) | $13,992.00 $40,504.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Lake Region State College | (ND) | $14,069.00 | All Students | |
Dakota College at Bottineau | (ND) | $14,259.00 $20,301.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Southwestern Oregon Community College | (OR) | $15,187.00 | All Students | |
Front Range Community College | (CO) | $15,852.00 $24,135.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Alaska Fairbanks | (AK) | $18,120.00 | All Students | |
Northampton County Area Community College | (PA) | $21,300.00 $29,640.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $26,352.00 $27,072.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the ECE associate’s degree online program 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 ECE associate’s degrees online. 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 associate 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 associate’s degree 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 ECE associate’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is 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 online associate’s degrees in ECE 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 the cheapest online associate’s degrees in ECE for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Get an Online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education?
These programs lead to high-quality careers. Here are a few reasons why you should consider one of the cheapest online associate’s degree in ECE programs.
- Stable growth: Early childhood education is a stable career field, resistant to market pressures, recessions, and other factors. Even when the economy is slow, people need reliable, experienced childhood educators.
- A deeply rewarding profession: While you can earn a strong living, you likely won’t get rich from early childhood education. You will, however, work in one of the most rewarding professions possible. Few careers are more important and fulfilling than educating young children and giving them the best start in life!
- Affordable education: Associate’s degrees are fast and affordable. These online programs have an average cost of only $10,800. Nearly 20 options listed below cost $10,000 or less for in-state students.
Think one of these programs is right for you? Think you have what it takes to be an early childhood educator? Then let’s dive in and learn more about high-quality, cheap online associate’s degrees in ECE.
What’s the Cost for an Online Associate’s in Early Childhood Education?
Associate’s degrees tend to be the most affordable option available for two reasons. First, they often come from community colleges, which typically (but not always) provide a low tuition price. Second, they only require two years of full-time study, which means less cost than a four-year bachelor’s degree.
While most are affordable, there are also programs on the high end of the cost scale. The most expensive is the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Care & Education from the University of Cincinnati, which charges $26,352 for in-state students. This program is roughly $5,000 more than the second most expensive option.
The cheapest online associate’s degree in ECE is far more affordable. The lowest-cost program in our database is the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from Caldwell Community College in North Carolina. This program only costs $5,221 for in-state students. Across a four-semester track, students only need to raise about $1,305 per semester to pay for the program.
The average cost for these online degrees is $10,800. Our database contains 18 programs priced below $10,000. While this is based on the in-state student price, many online programs offer the same price to out-of-state students as well. Allen County Community College in Kansas provides the cheapest program for students who don’t live in the same state as their intended school. ACCC offers the same low online tuition rate to all students, regardless of where they live in the US. The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education costs $7,560 for the full degree.
With a robust community college system, North Carolina boasts all three of the cheapest online ECE associate degree programs – and in fact nine out of the top ten! Bear in mind that out-of-state students will pay a premium for tuition at these schools. But if you are a North Carolina resident, you have a plethora of low-priced options available. Let’s look at the top three:
#1. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute – Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
The cheapest ECE associate’s degree online belongs to Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. CCC&TI’s program guides students to become competent and compassionate caregivers to children from infancy through middle childhood. The full cost of this online early childhood education degree is just $5,221 for North Carolina residents. Students living outside of the state can expect to pay $17,893 for the program.
The curriculum emphasizes four key aspects:
- Children’s growth and development
- Care and guidance of young children
- Children’s physical and nutritional needs
- Communication with children and their families
In addition, students will explore ways to craft creative and educational programs that are developmentally appropriate for a range of childcare needs. In-person practicum hours allow students to gain real-world experience at school or childcare settings in their local area. Graduates will be able to pursue employment opportunities with preschools, Head Start programs, public or private elementary schools, recreation centers, before and after school care centers, and more.
#2. Southwestern Community College - NC – Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
With a combination of online coursework and in-person practice, the second cheapest ECE associate’s degree online provides an ideal balance between convenience and practical experience. In-state tuition for this program from Southwestern Community College in North Carolina runs $5,522, while out-of-state residents will pay about $18,000 for the degree.
Courses touch on topics including child growth and development, nutrition, childcare, professional communication, and more. Through this comprehensive program, graduates will come away with an understanding of ways to foster children’s cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative skills. Students will also benefit from practice hours working with young children in actual early childhood education settings under the guidance of experienced teachers.
The curriculum of this affordable online ECE associate degree includes courses such as:
- Early Childhood Administration
- Child, Family, and Community
- Creative Activities
- Children with Exceptionalities
- Language and LIteracy Experiences
#3. Central Carolina Community College – Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
With a price tag of $5,590 for in-state students, this program from Central Carolina Community College ranks third on our list of cheapest online associate’s degrees in ECE. The degree comes with a total price of just over $18,000 for students outside of North Carolina.
This online early childhood education program focuses on serving the needs of children from newborns through age 8 and is ideal for those who aspire to become teaching assistants or childcare professionals. The curriculum prepares students to work with young children and their families, with a foundational understanding of child development. Students will learn how to create developmentally-appropriate activities in math, science, language, and literacy. Real-world internship experiences enhance this online degree program.
Early Childhood Education: What to Expect from an Associate’s Degree Online
These programs will provide a foundation of skills and knowledge that are important when educating young children. You’ll learn about child development, gaining insight into the stages of development and how children grow mentally and emotionally.
You’ll also learn the basic practices of early childhood education. This will help you plan and organize a classroom or learning setting, and will make you prepared for an excellent career. You’ll also learn effective classroom management, which can be vital for success in rooms full of energetic, distracted children.
An associate’s degree, including ECE associate’s degree online, requires at least two years of full-time study. In most cases there will be four total semesters.
These degrees are “associate of applied science” programs. This type of degree is intended to build specific skills for a particular career. While other programs may be broad in nature, these usually take a narrow, deep focus into early childhood education, with little variation. For example, other associate degrees (an associate of arts in particular) may dabble in history, literature, and social science. On the other hand, an applied science degree will stay mostly focused on the specific subject.
An ECE associate’s degree online is intended as a “job-ready” degree. This means it prepares you for immediate placement in a career. While it can potentially transfer into a bachelor’s program, most people will join the job market soon after graduation.
Courses During an Online Associate’s in Early Childhood Education
An ECE associate’s degree will cover many aspects of teaching young kids, managing a classroom, and creating a learning plan for toddlers and small children. The specific classes, however, will vary. Also, the structure of each program may be different. To better understand these programs, let’s look at a few online ECE associate degrees:
Caldwell Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
This program leans heavily into child psychology and development, as well as family dynamics. It includes classes such as “Introduction to Early Childhood Education” and “Child Development.” There are also classes in general psychology and teaching children with exceptionalities. Students also complete a few general education courses in communication, writing, science, and math.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg – Associate of Applied Science in Child Development
This is a four-semester program that includes 61 total credit hours. There are courses that include topics such as human development, working with special needs children, and preschool learning.
In the first semester, students will complete an “Orientation to College” course. This cheap online associate’s degree in ECE (only $10,080 total) also includes general skills courses that help your career. These include writing, rhetoric, and aesthetics.
Craven Community College – Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
Graduates of this program will understand early mental development, caring for young children, and methods for creating healthy development. This program requires 66 credit hours, and the school recommends five semesters instead of the usual four.
Classes include “Child Development”, “Child Guidance,” “Creative Activities,” and “Curriculum Planning.” Graduates must also complete courses in writing, basic computer skills, and language.
Whether you choose the most expensive or the cheapest online associate’s degree in ECE, you must research pricing and understand the total cost before enrolling.
Accreditation for Early Childhood Education Programs
Accreditation is, essentially, the quality-control process for the education system. Completed by organizations that specialize in reviewing schools and programs, accreditation tells prospective students and future employers that a school meets a high level of quality and consistency.
The main form of accreditation is institutional. This type encompasses an entire school, and it’s granted by regional groups like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). All the programs in our database hold institutional accreditation.
Another form of accreditation is programmatic. This is granted by groups that focus on a specific subject or academic discipline. For example, a physical therapy degree may hold accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
For early childhood education programs, a key accrediting body is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This group accredits a variety of programs in early childhood education, ensuring a high level of excellence among these programs.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is another organization in this space. However, they do not accredit associate’s degrees. Instead, they accredit bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.
Programmatic accreditation is useful, but as long as a program holds institutional accreditation, it will deliver a reliable, useful education.
Typical Admission Requirements for Online Associate’s Degrees
An associate’s degree is, essentially, the entry point of the academic process. It’s the often the shortest, fastest, and most affordable option. They are designed for people who want to learn quickly and then move into a career. Admission requirements are generally light, allowing most people to enroll in a program.
Each college is different, but you typically only need a high school diploma or equivalent. Most associate-level programs do not require a specific GPA, and many do not require ACT or SAT scores. Applicants may need to complete testing, but these are only used to determine placement, not acceptance. In other words, they won’t determine whether you receive admission, but merely determine what classes you will take. For example, if your math score is low, you may need to start with an introductory math course.
The same goes for high school transcripts and GED scores; they will rarely keep you from enrollment but may dictate what classes you take.
The Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from Kennebec Valley Community College is a good example. This school only requires an official copy of your high school transcript or GED/HiSET test scores.
Online associate’s degrees are made for as many students as possible. If you have a low GPA from high school and worry about college acceptance, these degrees can be a perfect option. This is because they tend to accept a higher percentage of students compared to bachelor’s programs. (Again, this is a general statement. Certain associate’s programs may have higher requirements.)
Licensing and Certification for Early Childhood Education Careers
Professionals in this field may need licensing if they choose a specific career. In particular, preschool teachers need to hold a license in most states. It is the same for all public school teachers. While not mandatory, many private schools also prefer candidates with licenses or other voluntary credentials.
Most teachers in public schools must have a license specific to early childhood education, which usually covers teachers through the third grade level. A bachelor’s degree may also be required by the state before you can achieve licensure.
Childcare worker is another common career after an associate’s in early childhood education. This career also requires a license through the state. Even someone running a daycare from their own home will need licensing.
Licensing may not be required in all cases for preschool teachers, but they can benefit from certificates like the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. This requires coursework and experience in a school setting, as well as a written exam. The Council for Professional Recognition also wants to observe candidates working with children before granting the CDA.
Credentials can benefit those in other careers in childhood education even when licensing is not required. Childcare workers, for instance, can also benefit from the CDA credential.
Salary and Career Outlook with an ECE Associate’s Degree Online
Frankly, most people don’t go into a childhood education career for the salaries. That’s not to say you can’t earn a good income, but money is simply not the motivating factor for this career choice.
Here are the median salaries (May 2021) for some of the most popular careers:
- Preschool teacher: $30,210
- Childcare worker: $27,490
- Recreation worker: $29,680
The median salary for all occupations is $45,760, so these careers are below the national median. However, there is a chance to earn higher incomes. For example, the top 10% of all childcare workers earn over $58,530. With dedication, experience, and education, you may approach these higher wages.
While salaries are not outstanding, the job stability for early childhood education is strong. The expected growth (2021-2031) for preschool teachers is 15%, which shows the ongoing need for workers this profession.
Here is the expected growth for careers involving childhood education:
- Preschool teacher: 15%
- Childcare worker: 6%
- Recreation worker: 10%
If you want a stable career needed in all corners of the country, childhood education is a fine choice.
What’s the Next Step in Your Education?
Many view an associate’s degree as a stepping stone to more education. If you decide to further your education, the next step is a bachelor’s degree. One of the benefits of completing an associate’s degree is once it’s completed you can either begin working or complete a bachelor’s degree in roughly two more years. The choice is yours.
The transition from an associate’s to a bachelor’s is usually easy, even if the program is listed as a “job ready” degree. Start by finding a school that will accept your current education towards a bachelor’s degree. You can research the admission requirements by contacting the school’s admissions office. It can be helpful to send transcripts (even unofficial ones) so the school’s staff can compare them to the admission requirements. They should be able to give a rough idea of what credits will transfer.
In most cases, community colleges have an established relationship with the state’s major universities. A community college in, say, Virginia, will be able to transfer credits to that state’s major public universities. This makes the process much easier.
Start Your Path to a Career with Children with an ECE Associate’s Degree Online
These degrees in early childhood education will open the door to a rewarding career working with children. Start today by submitting your information on GetEducated.com. We’ll help you find the perfect program for your unique goals, budget, and schedule!