Early childhood education plays an important role in the growth and development of young children, establishing the foundation for socialization, academic success, independence, healthy living, and community engagement.
Pursuing an online master's in early childhood education can enhance your teaching career and qualify you for leadership or administrative positions within the education sector.
Many schools offer flexible online options to earn your master's degree in early childhood education. We ranked the best online early childhood education programs based on factors like selectivity, graduation rate, and program cost.
Early Childhood Education Program Highlights
A master's degree in early childhood education builds upon skills learned during a bachelor's degree program, opening doors to career advancement and higher-paying roles.
These programs typically can take around two years to complete.
Professionals in some advanced roles, like school principals, earn a median annual wage of over $100,000.
Source: BLS
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Top Early Childhood Education Master's Programs
Why You Should Get a Master's in Early Childhood Education
Advance Your Career
A master's degree can open the door to higher-level positions and a wider salary range.Gain Specialized Teaching Skills
Graduate-level early childhood education programs provide advanced teaching skills and specializations.Access More Job Opportunities
Employers often favor candidates with a master's degree over those with a bachelor's.
Benefits of Getting a Master's in Early Childhood Education Online
Flexible Work Schedule: Just over 2 in 5 students enrolled full-time in online programs of any major also work full-time, according to our 2024 BestColleges Online Education Trends Report.
High Return on Investment: According to our survey, 93% of online students and program graduates say their degree will have or has had a positive return on investment — and 97% say they would recommend online education to others.
Positive Experience: Out of more than 100 survey respondents, 100% of psychology, education, and social sciences online students and program graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
Source: BestColleges
How to Choose the Best Early Childhood Education Program for You
There are several factors to consider when evaluating an online early childhood education program, including cost, program length, and the specific role you want to pursue.
How Much Does an Online Master's in Early Childhood Education Cost?
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2020)
$7,738
Avg. Net Price (2020)
$6,306
On Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2020)
$12,600
Avg. Net Price (2020)
$10,275
Source: NCES PowerStats
In 2020, the average tuition and fees for an online master's degree in early childhood education was just over $7,700. For on-campus students, the price increased to $12,600.
Factoring in grants and scholarships, however, the average net price for an online master's degree in early childhood education was just over $6,000 in 2020, while on-campus students paid around $10,300.
There are several options you can explore to help lower the costof an early childhood education degree, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, grants, work-study programs, and scholarships.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master's in Early Childhood Education
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's in Early Childhood Education?
Typical # of Credits
30 Credits
Typical Program Length
2 Years
An online master's in early childhood education program typically requires around 30 credits and can be completed in two years of full-time study.
Accelerated online programs allow students to fast-track their degree and graduate in as little as one year. Additionally, several schools offer 4+1 programs that allow students to earn a master's degree in early childhood education within a year of finishing their bachelor's program.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Early Childhood Education?
A master's in early childhood education can provide you with the necessary skills for various jobs in the education field, ranging from teaching positions to leadership roles.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects around 29,800 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers each year between 2024 and 2034, despite a slight decline in employment.
Additionally, the BLS projects 20,800 openings for school principals over the next decade. Local elementary and secondary school principals have the highest median annual salary of over $106,040, with private school principals following behind at almost $95,580.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,310 | Teaches young students basic subjects such as reading, science, and math |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,120 | Works with children ages 5 and under to teach them basic skills in preparation for kindergarten |
| Elementary School Principal | $104,070 | Manages daily school operations and activities |
| Education and Childcare Administrator | $54,290 | Oversees daily operations and activities of preschools or childcare centers |
| Childcare Worker | $32,050 | Works with young children and helps nurture their early growth and development |
Learn More About Jobs in Early Childhood Education
Is a Master's in Early Childhood Education Worth It?
An online master's degree in early childhood education is worthwhile if you want to advance your career in early childhood education and potentially transition into a leadership role.
In the short term, pursuing a master's degree takes additional time and money. If teaching is your goal, a master's degree may not be necessary to pursue. However, if working in leadership or administrative capacities outside the classroom is your goal, you should strongly consider a master's degree.
Education Beyond a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
A master's in early childhood education can open the door to career advancement and increase your earning potential. If you're interested in advanced research and academic leadership, you might want to pursue a doctorate in education, which takes around three years to complete on average.
Education doctorates come in two forms: a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and a doctor of education (Ed.D.). A Ph.D. program emphasizes research, theory, and policy within the field and spans approximately 4-6 years. On the other hand, an Ed.D. focuses on training students for leadership roles in education, typically taking around three years to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Education Master's Programs
Special education teachers are among the highest-paid early childhood educators, with a median annual salary of nearly $64,270 as of May 2024, according to the BLS.
Leadership positions like school administrators can earn over $100,000 annually; however, these roles often require a master's degree or higher.
