Early childhood education programs by state
1,008 early childhood programs in 47 states and 2 territories, with costs, results and funding that can make them free
Which schools offer WIOA-approved early childhood education programs?
488 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.
What does a preschool teacher or child care worker do, and how do you become one?
Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.1 The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.2
How much do early childhood education programs cost?
Most early childhood programs approved for WIOA funding cost $2,098 to $7,667 if you pay yourself. Certificates and short courses mostly cost $1,505 to $4,392 and two-year degrees $6,811 to $11,532. Prices also differ by state: most cost $723 to $2,123 in California and $13,583 to $15,051 in Delaware.
That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.
Compare early childhood education programs by state: cost, pay and results
| State | Programs | Most cost | Earned a year, estimated | Working 6 months later | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 5 | $5,400 to $18,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Arizona | 6 | $2,503 to $7,377 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Arkansas | 28 | $2,412 to $8,493 | about $24,000 | 68% | 55% |
| California | 65 | $723 to $2,123 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 61% |
| Colorado | 53 | $1,860 to $5,808 | about $40,500 | 52% | 30% |
| Connecticut | 5 | $3,570 to $5,946 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Delaware | 5 | $13,583 to $15,051 | Not reported | Not reported | Not enough data |
| Florida | 11 | $1,500 to $6,768 | about $29,200 | 65% | 51% |
| Georgia | 40 | $2,423 to $8,240 | about $20,700 | 77% | 22% |
| Hawaii | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Illinois | 53 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out |
| Indiana | 40 | $2,590 to $4,485 | about $26,900 | 63% | 47% |
| Iowa | 20 | $3,730 to $12,298 | about $22,500 | 79% | 34% |
| Kansas | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Kentucky | 7 | No figures reported | |||
| Louisiana | 5 | $3,995 to $5,000 | Not enough data | Left out | Left out |
| Maine | 8 | $2,178 to $4,624 | about $28,100 | 76% | Not enough data |
| Maryland | 7 | $622 to $4,164 | about $30,500 | 68% | 38% |
| Massachusetts | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Michigan | 32 | $2,436 to $11,602 | about $28,800 | 73% | 32% |
| Minnesota | 48 | $2,984 to $9,992 | about $23,400 | 72% | 39% |
| Mississippi | 11 | $6,930 to $8,100 | about $16,600 | 66% | Left out |
| Missouri | 38 | $3,233 to $11,332 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Montana | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Nebraska | 17 | $2,057 to $7,680 | about $24,700 | 78% | 34% |
| Nevada | 8 | $1,503 to $3,206 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| New Hampshire | 20 | $768 to $4,702 | Not enough data | Left out | 89% |
| New Jersey | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| New Mexico | 20 | $3,102 to $8,721 | about $32,800 | 67% | Left out |
| New York | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| North Carolina | 57 | $1,807 to $5,746 | about $30,000 | 71% | 20% |
| North Dakota | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Ohio | 34 | $3,276 to $12,924 | about $30,200 | 77% | 32% |
| Oklahoma | 8 | $2,317 to $7,914 | about $25,400 | Left out | 99% |
| Oregon | 10 | $3,630 to $12,254 | about $26,000 | 100% | Not enough data |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | $3,105 to $8,500 | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Left out |
| South Carolina | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| South Dakota | 1 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| Tennessee | 19 | $4,559 to $10,083 | about $23,400 | 71% | 56% |
| Texas | 33 | $2,754 to $6,132 | about $19,000 | 63% | 47% |
| US Virgin Islands | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Utah | 5 | $8,390 to $12,148 | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| Vermont | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Virginia | 13 | $2,500 to $9,246 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Washington | 175 | $1,969 to $5,094 | about $32,000 | 74% | 55% |
| West Virginia | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Wisconsin | 51 | $2,706 to $9,168 | about $25,000 | 74% | 50% |
| Wyoming | 5 | $2,128 to $5,504 | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer early childhood education programs too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made
CDA certification or early childhood degree? What the 1,008 programs are
By kind, the 1,008 programs approved for WIOA funding are child care or preschool certificate (487 programs), early childhood education (associate degree, 322 programs), early childhood education program (level not stated, 91 programs), CDA (Child Development Associate) course (71 programs), and 37 more of 2 other kinds.
Across the US, 276 of the 1,008 programs take students without a high school diploma, 522 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 197 ask for earlier courses first, 6 ask for an associate degree and 7 ask for a bachelor's degree.
Other training by state
- CDL training2,423 programs
- CNA classes1,749 programs
- Medical assistant training1,865 programs
- Phlebotomy training1,153 programs
- Welding classes2,307 programs
- HVAC training1,340 programs
- Medical billing and coding training1,297 programs
- LPN programs1,024 programs
- EMT classes1,210 programs
- Electrician training1,004 programs
- Dental assistant programs966 programs
- Auto mechanic classes1,108 programs
- Pharmacy technician training847 programs
- Plumbing school384 programs
- CNC machinist training918 programs
- Carpentry classes361 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training215 programs
- Diesel mechanic training446 programs
- Cybersecurity training1,449 programs
- IT training3,817 programs
- Cosmetology school355 programs
- Barber school233 programs
- Esthetician school264 programs
- Nail tech school191 programs
- EKG technician programs337 programs
- Massage therapy school305 programs
- Paralegal programs449 programs
- Fire academy337 programs
- Police academy338 programs
- Surgical tech programs363 programs
- Radiology tech programs345 programs
- Culinary school606 programs
- Home health aide training186 programs
- PTA programs217 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training907 programs
- Human resources training460 programs
- Medication aide training293 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training1,298 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school264 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training472 programs
- Hospitality management programs294 programs
- Addiction counselor training233 programs
- Community health worker training58 programs
- Coding and software development courses1,104 programs
- Lineman school282 programs
- Sterile processing technician training180 programs
- Sonography school183 programs
- Data analytics courses644 programs
- Administrative assistant training1,530 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs213 programs
- Medical lab technician programs255 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses579 programs
- Digital marketing courses392 programs
- Web and graphic design courses840 programs
- Health information technology programs385 programs
- Vet tech programs218 programs
- Real estate school123 programs
- Security guard training119 programs
- Patient care technician training278 programs
- OTA programs101 programs
- Crane operator training105 programs
- Interpreter and translator training82 programs
- Home inspector training67 programs
- Forklift certification113 programs
- Personal trainer certification123 programs
- Healthcare administration programs121 programs
- Customer service training168 programs
- Flight school144 programs
- MRI tech school29 programs
- Cardiovascular technology programs26 programs
- RBT certification training52 programs
- Mental health technician training120 programs
- Human services programs269 programs
- Manufacturing technician training668 programs
- Electronics technician training465 programs
- Business administration programs1,613 programs
- Criminal justice programs557 programs
- Teacher assistant certification212 programs
- Auto body repair classes301 programs
- Merchant mariner training142 programs
- Sleep technician training18 programs
- Solar and wind technician training150 programs
- Sheet metal training59 programs
- Water treatment operator training66 programs
- OSHA safety training128 programs
- Dialysis technician training60 programs
- Optician training54 programs
- Masonry training72 programs
- Insurance license courses41 programs
- Construction training programs833 programs
- Dental hygiene programs171 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes1,461 programs
- RN programs1,252 programs
- Project management certification951 programs
Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.
Where the early childhood education program numbers by state come from
Which early childhood education programs are counted?
Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).7 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.
What the figures for each state mean
Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).
Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs
Show the 7 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
- Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List