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Early childhood education programs in Nebraska

17 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

6 schools offer these early childhood education programs, and Nebraska has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 7 of these 17 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

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

In Nebraska, 2 of the 17 programs take students without a high school diploma and 15 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 17 programs here are early childhood education (associate degree, 9 programs) and child care or preschool certificate (8 programs).

See the 17 programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in Nebraska?

Two-year degrees (9 programs)
$7,260 to $8,228most of them, usually 64 weeks long
Other early childhood education programs (8 programs)
$1,936 to $2,594most of them, usually 23 to 28 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
34%
Working 6 months later
78%
Earned a year, estimated
about $24,700
Length
25 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Nebraska may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in Nebraska?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 17 early childhood programs in Nebraska approved for WIOA funding

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17 programs

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Early Childhood Education - AAS

    Central Community College

    Grand Island

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Central Community College, Grand IslandEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$34,000
    Price if you pay yourself$6,820
    School website, Early Childhood Education - AAS at Central Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - AAS at Central Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,493
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $3,000
    Students counted
    388
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,820
    School website, Early Childhood Education - AAS at Central Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science

    Metropolitan Community College

    Omaha

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Metropolitan Community College, OmahaEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$29,700
    Price if you pay yourself$7,300
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Metropolitan Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Metropolitan Community College
    Finished
    12%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,419
    Length
    86 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,322
    Students counted
    381
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,300
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Metropolitan Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$22,300
    Price if you pay yourself$8,228
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    29%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,568
    Length
    64 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,490
    Students counted
    201
    Earned a year, estimated
    $22,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,228
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Southeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts

    Northeast Community College

    Norfolk

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Community College, NorfolkEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,100
    Price if you pay yourself$7,680
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Northeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Northeast Community College
    Finished
    37%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,274
    Length
    64 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,322
    Students counted
    194
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,680
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Northeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education- Associate of Arts

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$21,000
    Price if you pay yourself$7,260
    Program website, Early Childhood Education- Associate of Arts at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education- Associate of Arts at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    27%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,256
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,420
    Students counted
    187
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,260
    Program website, Early Childhood Education- Associate of Arts at Southeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science

    Northeast Community College

    Norfolk

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Community College, NorfolkEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,100
    Price if you pay yourself$7,680
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Northeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Northeast Community College
    Finished
    29%
    Working at 6 months
    69%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,029
    Length
    64 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,322
    Students counted
    161
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,680
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Northeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs, IA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IAEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Nebraska; Nebraska approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimated$53,300
    Price if you pay yourself$14,553
    Program website, Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science at Iowa Western Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science at Iowa Western Community College
    Finished
    23%
    Working at 6 months
    22%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,313
    Length
    64 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,645
    Students counted
    127
    Earned a year, estimated
    $53,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,553
    Program website, Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science at Iowa Western Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Diploma

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,400
    Price if you pay yourself$3,872
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Diploma at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Diploma at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    62%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,090
    Length
    32 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,418
    Students counted
    48
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,872
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Diploma at Southeast Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Certificate

    Northeast Community College

    Norfolk

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Community College, NorfolkChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,240
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Northeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Northeast Community College
    Finished
    30%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $572
    Students counted
    28
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,240
    School website, Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Northeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science

    Mid-Plains Community College

    North Platte

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mid-Plains Community College, North PlatteEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$15,000
    Price if you pay yourself$7,076
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Applied Science at Mid-Plains Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,756
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $15,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,076

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Preschool - Certificate

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,936
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Preschool - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Preschool - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    25 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,245
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,936
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Preschool - Certificate at Southeast Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Infant/Toddler - Certificate

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,057
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Infant/Toddler - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Infant/Toddler - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    25 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,245
    Students counted
    10
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,057
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Infant/Toddler - Certificate at Southeast Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs, IA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IAEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Nebraska; Nebraska approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimated$5,800
    Price if you pay yourself$13,608
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Iowa Western Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Iowa Western Community College
    Finished
    57%
    Working at 6 months
    50%
    Earned in a quarter
    $1,456
    Length
    64 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,680
    Students counted
    10
    Earned a year, estimated
    $5,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,608
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts at Iowa Western Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Certificate of Completion

    Mid-Plains Community College

    North Platte

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mid-Plains Community College, North PlatteChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,392
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Certificate of Completion at Mid-Plains Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,392

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - In-Home Care Provider - Certificate

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,936
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - In-Home Care Provider - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - In-Home Care Provider - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    25 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,245
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,936
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - In-Home Care Provider - Certificate at Southeast Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Certificate

    Southeast Community College

    Lincoln

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeast Community College, LincolnChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,057
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Southeast Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    26 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,245
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,057
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Certificate at Southeast Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Diploma

    Mid-Plains Community College

    North Platte

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mid-Plains Community College, North PlatteChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,654
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Diploma at Mid-Plains Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,654

How to pay for early childhood education programs in Nebraska

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in Nebraska

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Early childhood education programs in Nebraska

programs with a price cost under $2,000
3 of 17
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
25th of 33
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
7 of 20
early childhood programs here, against the typical state's 8
17 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the early childhood education programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Early childhood education programs in Lincoln, Omaha, Norfolk and other Nebraska cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Nebraska

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in Nebraska

Where the Nebraska early childhood education program numbers come from

Which Nebraska early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs Nebraska approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Nebraska offers.

How the prices and results of Nebraska early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in Nebraska

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
  2. Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. 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)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. 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