What you’ll learn in this article…
- Hybrid and campus-based programs were excluded; every pick here is fully online.
- Non-licensure tracks let you earn the degree without a teaching license.
- Earnings data follows program completers one, four, and five years out.
State education departments, not universities, issue the early childhood teaching license, and a master's program helps only if its track matches the credential your state requires. That fact splits otherwise similar online programs: some lead to initial certification, some add an endorsement to a license you already hold, some confer a degree with no license attached.
Cost and seat time diverge just as widely, and "online" spans asynchronous coursework to programs with required field placements. The programs ranked here are fully online; hybrid formats were excluded. Licensure rules still vary by state, so the same degree can qualify you to teach in one state and leave you ineligible in the next.
Our Top 10 Fully Online Early Childhood Education Master's Programs for 2027
These ten early childhood education master's programs can all be completed fully online, and each one sits at a school with a record of getting graduate students to the finish line. Hybrid and campus-based options were left off, so everything below works for teachers and center staff who cannot add a commute to their week. One caveat up front: this list orders programs, not licenses, so read the licensure section below before you assume a track qualifies you in your state.
- Graduate completion and graduation rates
- Fully online delivery with no residency
- Depth of early childhood coursework
- Published graduate tuition and fees
- Institutional accreditation and standing
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduate tuition — nces.ed.gov
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | Working teachers needing asynchronous coursework | |
Liberty University is a large private nonprofit in Lynchburg, Virginia, and one of the biggest providers of online graduate education in the country. Its early childhood pathway sits inside a 36-credit M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, taught in 8-week asynchronous courses with eight start dates a year and up to half the degree transferable. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $22,465 for in-state and out-of-state students, with a reduced per-credit rate for military students. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 65%. Military benefitsFully online option
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| #2 | Albany State University | Albany, GA | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Georgia teachers adding PreK-5 certification | |
Albany State University is a public institution in southwest Georgia, and its early childhood master's is built squarely for teachers who already hold Georgia certification and want T-5 certification for PreK-5 classrooms. The 36-credit M.Ed. mixes curriculum leadership, supervision, and research with a strong culturally responsive teaching thread. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $5,656 for Georgia residents and $17,008 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 31%.
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| #3 | Brewton–Parker Christian University | Mount Vernon, GA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Certified educators moving into program leadership | |
Brewton-Parker Christian University is a small private institution in Mount Vernon, Georgia, with a master's in teaching and learning that splits into early childhood education or instructional design. Certified Georgia educators can finish the early childhood track in as few as three semesters and pick up a certificate level upgrade, though the degree does not lead to an initial teaching license. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $20,120 for in-state and out-of-state students. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 21%.
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| #4 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $7,000 – $18,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida Atlantic University is a large public university in Boca Raton, and its early childhood work sits inside an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with 12 specializations, offered without certification. The university has proposed a stand-alone 36-credit early childhood M.Ed. tied to its Toppel Early Childhood Education Institute and a nearby demonstration school accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a setup designed to give graduate students work in research, advocacy, and practice. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $4,879 for Florida residents and $17,324 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 63%.
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| #5 | Huntington University | Huntington, IN | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Huntington University is a private university in Huntington, Indiana, where the early childhood master's is fully online and built around seven-week courses taken one at a time. Assignments are discussions, papers, or projects rather than exams, and the 15-credit early childhood certificate rolls straight into the M.Ed. with six more courses. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $31,870 for in-state and out-of-state students. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 64%. Fully online option
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| #6 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University is a large public research university in Miami with a 30-credit M.S. in Early Childhood Education, and outside reviews have placed it among the more affordable early childhood programs in the country. Admission asks for a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate credits, two recommendations, a statement of intent, and a resume. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $6,565 for Florida residents and $18,964 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 74%.
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| #7 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University at Albany is a public research university in New York's capital region, and its M.S. in Early Childhood Education covers birth through second grade. The program requires initial teacher certification for admission and leads to New York State professional certification, with part-time online study built for working teachers. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $10,866 for New York residents and $31,256 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 61%. No entrance exam
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| #8 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb with a 30-semester-hour M.S. in Education and an early childhood specialization. The core covers assessment, curriculum, and research, with electives and a practicum rounding out a program aimed at educators who support young children and their families. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $15,264 for in-state and out-of-state students. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 45%.
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| #9 | CUNY Brooklyn College | Brooklyn, NY | $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) | ||
CUNY Brooklyn College is a public senior college in Brooklyn with a long record of preparing New York City early childhood teachers. Its M.S.Ed. runs 30 to 45 credits depending on prior certification and prepares candidates for New York State certification from birth through grade 2, with bilingual and special education extensions available. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $7,452 for New York residents and $15,402 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 54%.
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| #10 | Pennsylvania Western University | California, PA | $11,000 – $12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Pennsylvania Western University is a public university in southwestern Pennsylvania, and its early childhood concentration sits inside a 30-credit M.Ed. in Advanced Study in Education. The curriculum leans on child development, family and community relationships, observation and assessment, and leadership, with fully online delivery built for working educators. Graduate tuition and fees before aid are $11,436 for Pennsylvania residents and $16,054 out of state. Schools offering this program have a graduation rate of 52%.
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The Scoring Logic Behind Our Order, Plus How to Check Accreditation Yourself
Is a regionally accredited online early childhood master's the same as a CAEP- or NAEYC-accredited one?
The order follows a shortlist of criteria: fully online delivery first, then accreditation context, graduate tuition, institution-level completion, and program-level earnings where federal data publishes them. Read it as a starting point, not a verdict. Completion describes the whole institution, net price is a sector average, and some programs have no published earnings at all.
Two Kinds of Accreditation
Institutional (regional) accreditation covers the whole institution; it signals broad institutional legitimacy but does not certify an early childhood program's quality.1 CAEP accredits the educator-preparation unit or program area named in its record1, and NAEYC accredits early childhood higher education programs. Neither guarantees a state license. Licensure depends on your state board approving the specific track, and NAEYC statuses include accredited, with conditions, and probation.
Verify It Yourself
Three checks separate a marketing claim from a documented one.
- Start with the school's accreditor in the U.S. Department of Education database or CHEA directories, which list 8,200+ institutions and 44,000+ programs. Confirm the exact legal name, campus, status, and dates.
- Check the CAEP or NAEYC official list for your exact program, pathway, campus, and online format. If the record is unclear, ask for the decision letter; NAEYC entries show status, term, and initial date.
- Confirm the state licensure board approves the track you need. State authorization is not accreditation2, and the three types are not interchangeable.
Ask for written confirmation before you enroll.
Initial License, Added Endorsement, or No License: What Each Master's Track Qualifies You For
Yes, you can earn an online early childhood master's without a teaching license, but only non-licensure tracks are designed for that. Licensure rules are set by each state's department of education, and no master's program creates a license accepted in every state. Check the state where you plan to teach before you apply anywhere.
| What to check | Initial licensure track | Advanced or endorsement track | Non-licensure track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point it assumes | Career changers with a bachelor's degree and no teaching license | Teachers who already hold a license | Directors, curriculum designers, policy and advocacy staff, with or without a license |
| What it qualifies you for | Recommendation for a first teaching credential, if the program is state approved | Deeper expertise, and possibly an added endorsement depending on your state's rules | Leadership, curriculum and policy roles that do not require a classroom license |
| Practicum and state tests | Typically includes supervised practicum or student teaching; state tests are usually required before the credential is issued | Usually no new student teaching, since you are already licensed; confirm any endorsement testing with your state | No student teaching and no licensure exams built in |
| State application | Separate application to the state licensing agency, plus a formal recommendation from the preparation program | The master's does not replace the state application needed for an initial credential | None needed for the degree itself |
| Out-of-state portability | An approved program in one state can open a path to a license in another, subject to the receiving state's conditions | An out-of-state school's status does not establish approval in your state, so confirm with that state's licensing authority | Not applicable, because there is no license to transfer |
| Role of NASDTEC agreements | A collection of state agreements: the receiving state pledges some form of authorization when the sending-state license is acceptable | Can ease a move for a licensed teacher, but conditions vary by state | Not relevant without a credential |
| Risk of extra requirements | Extra coursework, assessments, or experience may still apply, even between participating states | 31 states require some or all out-of-state candidates to complete added coursework or training | Low, since no state credential is involved |
What a Fully Online ECE Master's Really Costs: Tuition, Fees, and Debt
The price of a fully online early childhood master's comes down to three numbers: the per-credit rate, the credits required, and the mandatory fees stacked on top. Everything else, including books and any travel for field placements, is extra.
The spread among low-cost online programs
Before aid, graduate tuition and fees at the lowest-cost schools here run from $2,108 at Sinte Gleska University to $5,850 at Brewton-Parker Christian University, with Northeastern State University close behind at $5,771 for in-state students. All three are published sticker rates, not what you will actually pay after scholarships, employer tuition benefits, or graduate assistantships. Fee schedules also vary: some schools fold technology and library charges into tuition, while others bill them per term.
In-state versus out-of-state pricing
Some online programs charge one rate no matter where you live. Sinte Gleska University and Brewton-Parker Christian University post identical in-state and out-of-state figures, which usually signals flat online pricing. Others split the two: Albany State University is $5,008 in state and $15,880 out of state, while Northeastern State University runs $5,771 in state and $11,981 out of state. Ask an admissions counselor which rate applies to you, given your residency.
Debt where it is reported
Albany State University reports a median of $35,569 in federal loan debt among program completers, from the 2022 outcomes window. Weigh that against first-year earnings before you borrow.
An affordability tip
Tuition depends on total credits, so a low per-credit rate on a 45-credit program can cost more than a higher rate on 30 credits. Before you compare sticker prices, ask each school for its per-credit rate, the credit total, mandatory fees, and whether summer terms carry separate charges.
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A Reality Check on Year-One Pay After an Online ECE Master's
This is the highest program-level median for year-one pay among the programs here.
What Completers Earn and Owe, Plus BLS Pay for the Jobs This Degree Leads To
Each row shows median earnings and loan debt for all graduates of that school's early childhood education master's program, regardless of delivery format and not the university as a whole, measured one, four, and five years after completion. Some cohorts are small, so read single figures with caution. For comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports these May 2025 medians and 2025 to 2035 outlooks: preschool teachers earn $38,140 with 4% projected growth and about 66,700 openings a year; preschool and childcare center directors earn $59,300 with a 3% decline but still about 5,200 openings a year; kindergarten teachers earn $62,680 with little or no change; and instructional coordinators earn $77,440 with 2% growth and about 23,100 openings a year. Graduates of every program shown earned well above the preschool teacher median within one year, which likely reflects completers moving into licensed public-school, leadership, or coordinator roles, because preschool classroom pay tends to stay modest with or without a master's. To judge value, set the debt column against the pay of the job you want. Valdosta State's median debt of $23,655 is easy to justify against a $62,680 kindergarten salary or a coordinator path, but much harder against a $38,140 preschool salary.
| Program | Median earnings, 1 year after completion | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Median earnings, 5 years after completion | Median federal loan debt | Typical monthly payment (10-year plan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Brooklyn College (M.S.Ed., Early Childhood Education Teacher) | $59,924 (1 yr) | $80,655 (4 yrs) | $81,371 (5 yrs) | $27,668 | $315 |
| Florida International University (M.S., Early Childhood Education) | $52,399 (1 yr) | $57,448 (4 yrs) | $65,885 (5 yrs) | $46,114 | $525 |
| Albany State University (Master's, Early Childhood Education) | $50,374 (1 yr) | $65,152 (4 yrs) | $65,004 (5 yrs) | $35,569 | $405 |
| Western Illinois University (M.S.Ed., Early Childhood Education) | $54,160 (1 yr) | $54,990 (4 yrs) | $59,792 (5 yrs) | N/A | N/A |
| Valdosta State University (M.Ed., Early Childhood Education) | $57,751 (1 yr) | $62,044 (4 yrs) | $57,746 (5 yrs) | $23,655 | $269 |
Before you enroll, confirm that your state approves the program for the license or endorsement you want, then price out tuition, fees, and total debt, not just the advertised credit rate.
Quick Answers on Licensure, Timing, GRE Rules, and Value for Online ECE Master's Students
These answers cover the questions online ECE master's applicants ask most often. Rules differ by program and by state, so treat each answer as a starting point and confirm the details with the program and your state education department before you enroll.
Can I get a master's in early childhood education online without a teaching license?
Yes, in many cases. Nonlicensure tracks, which focus on curriculum, leadership, and child development, generally do not require a current teaching license. Licensure-track programs are different and typically require prerequisites, background checks, and clinical experience. Check which track a program offers, because a nonlicensure degree will not qualify you for a teaching license.
How long does an online master's in early childhood education take?
It varies. Length depends on total credits, whether you study full or part time, how much transfer credit the school accepts, and whether the track includes practicum or student teaching. Nonlicensure tracks may run shorter, but no single timeline applies everywhere. Ask each admissions office for a sample plan matched to your schedule.
Do online early childhood education master's programs require the GRE?
Policies vary by program. Some schools ask for GRE scores, others waive or do not require them, and requirements can change from one admissions cycle to the next. Confirm the current rule on each program's admissions page, or ask an admissions advisor directly, before you pay for a test.
Will an out-of-state online program let me teach in my home state?
Not automatically. State departments of education, not universities, set licensure rules, and out-of-state degrees do not carry guaranteed reciprocity. Your home state may require an approved preparation program, specific coursework, exams, background checks, and supervised clinical experience. Contact your state agency before enrolling in any licensure-track program.
Can I complete practicum or student teaching where I live?
Often yes, but placement is handled case by case. The university must arrange or approve the placement, and the school, cooperating teacher, supervision, clearances, and hours must meet program and state requirements. Ask about local placement support and confirm your site is approvable before you enroll.
Do loan forgiveness programs like PSLF or Teacher Loan Forgiveness apply to early childhood educators?
They can, depending on your job. PSLF requires 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer. Teacher Loan Forgiveness requires five years of full-time teaching in a low-income school, and the $17,500 maximum is tied to math, science, and special education. You cannot count the same service toward both.
Is an online master's worth it if I already work in a preschool or child care center?
It depends on your goal. A master's can support moves into curriculum, program leadership, or teaching roles if you pair it with the right licensure track. Compare total cost against the pay increase your employer or target role offers, and check whether your center provides tuition help or qualifies for loan forgiveness.
Your Path From Shortlist to First Class
Once you have a shortlist from the programs below, the order of your next moves matters. Each step screens out programs that won't serve your goals, so you spend application effort only where it counts.
More 100% Online Early Childhood Education Master's Programs to Consider
This directory lists additional 100% online early childhood education master's programs that did not land on our ranked shortlist. Each entry pairs a short program summary with its delivery format, location, and any per-credit tuition rate the program publishes. Treat it as a browse list for your own comparison rather than a second ranking.
