Why This Matters

  • 29% OF PRESCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE ATTENDED COLLEGE

    According to O*NET, 29% of preschool teachers have a high school diploma, 12% have some college but no degree, and 17% have completed a bachelor’s degree.

  • 13,500 NEW JOBS FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS

    The demand for educated early childhood educators is expected to grow 2% from 2019 to 2029, resulting in nearly 13,500 new jobs.

  • EARN $31,900 AS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

    Preschool teachers earn $31,930 per year. The lowest 10% earned $21,900, while the highest 10% earned $58,230. Elementary school educators earned $48,410 per year, while child care workers earned $29,860.

Our Research

Our list covers Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Science (AS) degrees in early childhood education, which prepares individuals to work with children from birth through young childhood in diverse learning environments. Students who earn an associate degree in early childhood education learn about teaching strategies and developmental milestones and explore engagement, nutrition, and behavioral modifications. All the early childhood education programs on our list are offered online or in a hybrid format by regionally accredited schools, which verify that degree plans meet superior standards in education. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) also reviews early childhood education programs to ensure they demonstrate the highest professional standard of excellence set by the organization.

  • 61 hours to write this article
  • 200 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 363 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs

Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Tallahassee Community College
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
01
Best in the Midwest
Bay Mills Community College
01
Best in the West
Truckee Meadows Community College
01
Best in the Mid Atlantic
Liberty University
01
Best Career-Ready Track
Stanly Community College
01
Best Birth-K Track
Pamlico Community College
01
Best Liberal Arts Option
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
01
Best Concentration Option
Northeast Community College
01
Best for CDA Credential
University of Cincinnati
01
Best in the Northwest
University of Alaska Fairbanks
01
Best Licensure Track
Haywood Community College
01
Best in the Northeast
Granite State College
01
Best Christian Option
Indiana Wesleyan University
01
Best for Early Entry
Surry Community College
01
Best Non-Teaching Licensure Track
Fayetteville Technical Community College
01
Best for Portfolio Development
Minnesota State College Southeast
01
Best for Birth-8
Clovis Community College
01
Best for Articulation
Brunswick Community College
01
Best Self-Paced Option
Eastern Wyoming College
01
Best for Child Development
South Texas College
01
Best Evening Option
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
01
Best for ESL
Rasmussen University
01
Best in the Pacific
Chaminade University of Honolulu
01
Best Hybrid Option
Gulf Coast State College
01
Best for Infants and Toddlers
Great Basin College
01
Best for International Students
Montgomery Community College
01
Best for Dual Enrollment
Dawson Community College
01
Best for Child Care
Western Oklahoma State College
01
Best for Certification
Front Range Community College
01
Best Experiential Option
Ivy Tech Community College
01
Best Stackable Certificates
NHTI - Concord's Community College
01
Best for Leadership
Northampthon Community College
01
Best for Head Start
Mayville State University
01
Best Field Experiences
Post University
01
Most Affordable
Ashworth College
01
Best for Curriculum/Instruction
Arkansas Tech University
01
Best for Family Science
The Ohio State University
01
Best Elective Options
Bellevue College
01
Best for Special Education
Richmond Community College
01
Best Paraprofessional Option
Yavapai College
01
Most Flexible
Bladen Community College
01
Best for Teacher Preparation
Central Carolina Community College
01
Best for Diversity Education
Vance-Granville Community College
01
Best Minor Options
Casper College
01
Best for Vets
Purdue University Global
01
Best Part-Time Option
Wilmington University
01
Best for Transfer Students
Arizona Western College
01
Best for Working Professionals
Penn Foster College
01
Best Start Dates
Aspen University

What You Should Know About This Degree

Early childhood education traditionally covers birth through about age 8. The key difference among early childhood educators are the ages they focus on. Preschool teachers focus on teaching basic skills such as identifying colors, numbers, letters, and shapes, while kindergarten and elementary school teachers focus more on math, reading, and writing. Elementary school teachers often also need a bachelor’s degree.

Look for online associate in early childhood education programs that are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or the NAEYC to ensure that you’re enrolling in a reputable program.

The job outlook is about average for those going into elementary programs, with preschool jobs projected to grow at a slightly lower-than-average rate.

If you’re interested in a job in early childhood education and want to work in the public schools, you will need a state teaching license or ECE certificate.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in early childhood education programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Most associate degree programs require a high school diploma or equivalency. Students often must complete some general education college courses in areas like math, English, and science. You might also need to maintain a certain GPA and be able to pass a criminal and character background check.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Associate degree programs are typically offered at community colleges and include 60 college credit hours. Students generally complete these requirements in two years by taking 15 to 18 credit hours per semester.

Once you’ve decided on a program and the courses you’re interested in pursuing, you should contact the admissions department at the school you want to attend and find out what their process and requirements are.

Also, research your financing options. Make sure to note what scholarships, financial aid, and tuition reimbursements you might qualify for and what the deadlines are for each.