01Recommended
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Early Childhood Education
- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
17 Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees of 2026
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the strongest overall choice for students who want a well-known public research university, the University of Northern Iowa is a lower-cost public option at about $10,980 a year, and Purdue Global suits working adults who want an online-first nonprofit university. Decide whether cost, name recognition or scheduling flexibility matters most, then check accreditation and transfer credit before enrolling.
Fact-checkedOur top 3 picks
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
02Top Strong pick
University of Northern Iowa
Early Childhood Education
- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
03Top five
Purdue Global
Early Childhood Education
- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
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The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method
How the score works
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
- 01Collect the source rankings.
- 02Normalize every position.
- 03Weight the sources.
- 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.
Scoring factors
- Source normalization40%
- Specialist rankings30%
- Publisher rankings20%
- RaveReviews Algorithm score10%
Sources used
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 3 sources contributed to this ranking.
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape
Score curve
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
#1#5#10
Top scores
The first five, scored out of 10.
What you need to know before you choose.
Compare online early childhood education programs by total tuition, programmatic accreditation and how many prior credits will transfer.
Confirm that the program holds the accreditation your state or employer expects for early childhood licensure, and get a written transfer-credit estimate before you pay tuition. A low per-credit price can cost more overall if credits do not transfer or the program takes extra terms to finish.
What the research says.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
17options reviewed
7.0average score
10.0top score
3authority sources
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Authority sources
Read the published rankings behind this list.
OnlineU — 2026 Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees
College Consensus — Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education
Forbes Advisor — Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees
Key insights
17options reviewed
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
5weighted ranking factors
The same published model across every category.
0paid placements
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
Education options ranked
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
RecommendedBest overall- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- Forbes Advisor: #1
University of Northern Iowa
Top Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #1
Purdue Global
Top five- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #2
West Virginia University
Top five- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #4
University of Alabama
Top five- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #5
Florida International University
Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #4
Mississippi State University
Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #6
Arizona State University
Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #3
Fresno Pacific University
Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #7
Indiana Wesleyan University
Strong pick- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #8
University of Washington
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #8
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- Forbes Advisor: #4
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #2
University of Southern Mississippi
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #10
University of Cincinnati
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #7
National University
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #10
Liberty University
Solid option- Online Early Childhood Education program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #9
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Champaign-Urbana, offering the early childhood education program online.
10.0RaveReviews Algorithm
Compare the top options
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Northern Iowa | Purdue Global | West Virginia University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 10.0 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Best for | Early Childhood Education | Early Childhood Education | Early Childhood Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Price | $442 | $10,980 | $11,130 | Varies |
| Highlight | Online Early Childhood Education program | Online Early Childhood Education program | Online Early Childhood Education program | Online Early Childhood Education program |
Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.
The questions buyers actually ask
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
What is the best choice in online early childhood education degrees?
If you want the short answer, start with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for early childhood education. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. University of Northern Iowa is the stronger fit for early childhood education. Purdue Global is worth a close look for early childhood education. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
How did we rank online early childhood education degrees?
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Source normalization at 40%, specialist rankings at 30%, publisher rankings at 20%, ravereviews algorithm score at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
What should you look for in online early childhood education degrees?
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the relevant details include online early childhood education program, regionally accredited, forbes advisor: #1. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
How much do online early childhood education degrees cost?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign starts at $442 /credit. University of Northern Iowa starts at $10,980 /year. Purdue Global starts at $11,130 /year. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
Which option is best for early childhood education?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the pick here because university of illinois urbana-champaign is a public land-grant research university in champaign-urbana, offering the early childhood education program online.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.
That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.
Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.
What should you verify before you buy?
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
What should you do next?
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Who wrote and reviewed this ranking
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.
David Krug
Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Annie Membreve
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokFrequently asked questions
Are online Early Childhood Education degrees respected by employers?
Regionally accredited online degrees are generally treated the same as campus degrees. Recognition depends on the institution, program accreditation and your field.
How much does an online Early Childhood Education degree cost?
Compare total program cost, fees, transfer credit and any residency requirements. The per-credit price is only one part of the budget.
Can I transfer credits?
Often, yes, but the amount varies. Ask for a transfer evaluation in writing before you enroll.
Keep comparing
More rankings and guides for the decision in front of you.