University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for early childhood education in California.
What is Early Childhood Education?
California is the third largest state in the US and some of the biggest cities in the US, comes the highest population as well. According to recent data, California currently has over 2,000 “top” private preschool programs and over 235,000 children in various preschool programs around the state. There are also at least 560 elementary school districts and a flourishing kindergarten system. If you’re multi- or bilingual, there are special programs that need your help, with California introducing more language acceptance to the classroom than ever before by integrating its cultural diversity into its teaching programs. With all this, and the option to live in whatever climate you choose, in a roaring city or the quiet countryside, being an early childhood educator never looked so good..
Featured Early Childhood Education Programs
Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in California
1
San Jose State University
Score: 84.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $14,219
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 35,751
- Undergrad Students: 26,863
- Graduate Students: 8,888
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
2
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 83.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State:$18,953
- Net Price: $7,925
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 40,386
- Undergrad Students: 35,432
- Graduate Students: 4,954
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
3
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
Score: 80.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,760
- Out-of-State:$14,760
- Net Price: $18,306
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 393
- Undergrad Students: 159
- Graduate Students: 234
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
4
California State University-Chico
Score: 77.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State:$19,944
- Net Price: $15,517
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 14,183
- Undergrad Students: 12,981
- Graduate Students: 1,202
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
5
California State University-Northridge
Score: 76.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State:$18,975
- Net Price: $8,936
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 37,579
- Undergrad Students: 32,181
- Graduate Students: 5,398
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
6
Fresno Pacific University
Score: 75.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,558
- Out-of-State:$35,558
- Net Price: $15,255
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 3,032
- Undergrad Students: 1,744
- Graduate Students: 1,288
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
7
San Francisco State University
Score: 75.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,424
- Out-of-State:$19,304
- Net Price: $13,267
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 25,282
- Undergrad Students: 21,961
- Graduate Students: 3,321
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
8
California State University-Fresno
Score: 75.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,980
- Out-of-State:$18,860
- Net Price: $7,507
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 23,999
- Undergrad Students: 21,354
- Graduate Students: 2,645
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
9
California State University-Los Angeles
Score: 74.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,818
- Out-of-State:$18,698
- Net Price: $5,801
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 26,460
- Undergrad Students: 22,737
- Graduate Students: 3,723
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
10
Biola University
Score: 71.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,704
- Out-of-State:$46,704
- Net Price: $31,522
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 5,387
- Undergrad Students: 3,499
- Graduate Students: 1,888
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
11
Pacific Union College
Score: 70.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,214
- Out-of-State:$35,214
- Net Price: $21,841
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 870
- Undergrad Students: 848
- Graduate Students: 22
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
12
Mount Saint Mary's University
Score: 69.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,132
- Out-of-State:$48,132
- Net Price: $28,717
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 2,440
- Undergrad Students: 1,797
- Graduate Students: 643
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
13
California Baptist University
Score: 66.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,720
- Out-of-State:$39,720
- Net Price: $27,304
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 11,495
- Undergrad Students: 8,334
- Graduate Students: 3,161
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
14
Vanguard University of Southern California
Score: 65.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,950
- Out-of-State:$39,950
- Net Price: $24,279
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 2,256
- Undergrad Students: 2,001
- Graduate Students: 255
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
15
UMass Global
Score: 58.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,520
- Out-of-State:$12,520
- Net Price: $32,807
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 8,689
- Undergrad Students: 4,822
- Graduate Students: 3,867
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
16
National University
Score: 55.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,064
- Out-of-State:$11,064
- Net Price: $30,527
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 22%
- Total Enrollment: 11,578
- Undergrad Students: 106
- Graduate Students: 11,472
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 1:1
17
Skyline College
Score: 53.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,332
- Out-of-State:$11,384
- Net Price: $5,161
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 8,523
- Undergrad Students: 8,523
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,500
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
18
Hartnell College
Score: 47.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,404
- Out-of-State:$8,994
- Net Price: $7,279
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 8,892
- Undergrad Students: 8,892
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,600
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
19
Cabrillo College
Score: 42.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,270
- Out-of-State:$9,910
- Net Price: $18,992
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 9,149
- Undergrad Students: 9,149
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,600
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
20
Cerro Coso Community College
Score: 40.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,384
- Out-of-State:$10,264
- Net Price: $11,826
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Total Enrollment: 4,919
- Undergrad Students: 4,919
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,300
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
