Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Evan Thompson
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Updated on September 18, 2024
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An associate degree in early childhood education (ECE) prepares you for several career paths. Learn about the coursework, cost, and length of these online programs.
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Best Online Associate Degree Programs in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education (ECE) is any type of education children receive before they reach five years of age. ECE settings include preschools, childcare facilities, and homes. ECE educators include preschool teachers, daycare workers, teacher assistants, and nannies.

People who want to become a preschool teacher or teacher assistant may need to complete an associate degree in ECE. Preschool teachers need at least a two-year degree to enter the profession, which is growing at a much faster rate than average.

We’ll cover ECE fields that require associate degrees, and rank the best online degree programs, coursework, costs, and completion times.

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Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs

#1 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Ohio State University

  • Location-markerColumbus, OH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,018
  • Out-of-state$34,101
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,560
  • Out-of-state$37,512
  • Retention Rate94%
  • Acceptance Rate57%
  • Students Enrolled61,677
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment77%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

University of Cincinnati

  • Location-markerCincinnati, OH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,099
  • Out-of-state$25,433
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,224
  • Out-of-state$24,966
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate85%
  • Students Enrolled40,329
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment66%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Saint Francis University

  • Location-markerLoretto, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$38,852
  • Out-of-state$38,852
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$21,920
  • Out-of-state$21,920
  • Retention Rate85%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled3,034
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment41%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

  • Location-markerFennimore, WI
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,233
  • Out-of-state$6,345
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,520
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Renton Technical College

  • Location-markerRenton, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$3,781
  • Out-of-state$4,241
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,097
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment49%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Florida Gateway College

  • Location-markerLake City, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,369
  • Out-of-state$9,473
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,792
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment71%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Northwood Technical College

  • Location-markerShell Lake, WI
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,570
  • Out-of-state$6,630
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,656
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment73%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Gulf Coast State College

  • Location-markerPanama City, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$1,750
  • Out-of-state$7,065
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,377
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment57%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Stanly Community College

  • Location-markerAlbemarle, NC
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,554
  • Out-of-state$9,005
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,456
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment89%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs 2024

Chaminade University of Honolulu

  • Location-markerHonolulu, HI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$27,340
  • Out-of-state$27,340
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$27,720
  • Out-of-state$27,720
  • Retention Rate70%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled2,214
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment63%
  • AccreditationYes

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What Do You Learn in an Early Childhood Education Associate Program?

Two-year programs in early childhood education typically issue Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. Some programs may be designed for students who want to enter the field after graduation. Others prepare students for transfer to four-year baccalaureate programs.

In these associate degree programs, aspiring educators learn effective instructional strategies through coursework in curriculum development and the principles and practices of teaching young children. They also discover strategies for working with diverse learners via courses in special education, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and language and literacy development.

Other common course topics include:

  • Child development
  • Behavior management
  • Safety in early childhood settings
  • Health and nutrition

Students must also complete general education and elective courses. Some programs require students to fulfill practicum or internship requirements, as well.

How Long Does an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education Take?

Many associate degrees in early childhood education consist of around 60 credits. Full-time students take about 15 credits per semester and earn their degree in two years. Most part-time students complete this degree in 3-4 years. But if you’re taking self-paced, asynchronous courses, program length can vary widely.

Depending on the institution, you may be able to reduce the program length by transferring previously earned credits or by earning college credit through relevant employment.

How Much Does an Online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education Education Cost?

An online associate degree in education costs about $12,300 per year, according to 2022-2023 National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data. The good news is that the cost varies per institution, and online degrees cut commuting costs that in-person associate degrees may carry.

Your return on investment for your college education is something to keep in mind, too. To help you pay for school, you can apply for education scholarships to reduce the cost of your tuition and fees.

What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education?

An early childhood education associate degree provides the skills and knowledge you need to work with kids in and out of the classroom. You could teach kids in a preschool, look after kids in daycare, or assist teachers in the classroom.

In most of these roles, you’ll balance supervising children and organizing activities to entertain them or teach them basic concepts.

Popular Jobs in Early Childhood Education
Job TitleMedian Annual Salary (May 2023)
Preschool Teacher$37,130
Teacher’s Assistant$35,550
Daycare Worker$31,000*
Nanny$37,000*
Special Education Aide$25,000*
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Payscale
*As of April 2024

Beyond the Associate Degree

Though an associate degree is sufficient for some preschool teaching jobs, many states require these pre-kindergarten educators to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. For instance, 50% of all teachers in Head Start, a federal program for children from low-income families, must hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. Preschool teachers at public schools, as well as preschool and daycare center directors, often need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Some states also require preschool teachers to hold Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials. The Council for Professional Recognition, the organization that issues the credential, describes it as the “most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.” The credentialing process requires several steps and must be completed every three years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education

Though preschool teachers at public schools often must hold bachelor’s degrees, some private schools may only require an associate degree. Additionally, center-based Head Start preschool teachers and assistant teachers can be hired with an associate degree.

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