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 Texas.

What is Early Childhood Education?


Texas places a strong emphasis on preschool education, supported by organizations like Texas Head Start, the Texas Early Learning Council, and the Children’s Defense Fund - Texas. These groups focus on both young children and their educators. To ensure long-term success, the state has approved various colleges and universities to offer early childhood education (ECE) degrees.

The goal of Texas's Early Childhood Education initiative is to provide all children ages three and four access to prekindergarten programs. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) also emphasizes teacher development to positively impact children's educational progress. The Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System supports teachers by helping them meet learning requirements, improve job prospects, and advance their careers.

Featured Early Childhood Programs

Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in Texas


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,846
    • Out-of-State:$19,382
  • Net Price: $5,383
  • Acceptance Rate: 48%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,505
  • Undergrad Students: 6,979
  • Graduate Students: 1,526
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Texas A&M International University
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2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,026
    • Out-of-State:$22,626
  • Net Price: $13,025
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,306
  • Undergrad Students: 7,383
  • Graduate Students: 3,923
  • Grads Salary: $91,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Texas A&M University-Commerce
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3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,859
    • Out-of-State:$19,939
  • Net Price: $8,105
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,559
  • Undergrad Students: 26,434
  • Graduate Students: 5,125
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,746
    • Out-of-State:$21,330
  • Net Price: $17,871
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,562
  • Undergrad Students: 6,352
  • Graduate Students: 2,210
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • University of Houston-Clear Lake
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5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,744
    • Out-of-State:$25,512
  • Net Price: $9,563
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 23,880
  • Undergrad Students: 20,165
  • Graduate Students: 3,715
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • The University of Texas at El Paso
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6
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,600
    • Out-of-State:$20,680
  • Net Price: $13,858
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,327
  • Undergrad Students: 9,905
  • Graduate Students: 1,422
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Stephen F. Austin State University
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7
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,904
    • Out-of-State:$23,212
  • Net Price: $10,370
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,848
  • Undergrad Students: 4,640
  • Graduate Students: 1,208
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • The University of Texas Permian Basin
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8

McMurry University

Score: 69.92

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $31,372
    • Out-of-State:$31,372
  • Net Price: $18,757
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,237
  • Undergrad Students: 1,231
  • Graduate Students: 6
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • McMurry University
9

Grayson College

Score: 62.46

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,230
    • Out-of-State:$5,850
  • Net Price: $5,472
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,938
  • Undergrad Students: 3,938
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Grayson College
10
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,220
    • Out-of-State:$7,500
  • Net Price: $1,692
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 26%
  • Total Enrollment: 27,894
  • Undergrad Students: 27,894
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $52,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • South Texas College
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11

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Score: 58.8

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $18,610
    • Out-of-State:$18,610
  • Net Price: $19,217
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,794
  • Undergrad Students: 1,491
  • Graduate Students: 303
  • Grads Salary: $55,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Southwestern Assemblies of God University
12

Wiley University

Score: 56.33

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,500
    • Out-of-State:$12,500
  • Net Price: $11,246
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 54%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 698
  • Undergrad Students: 698
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Wiley University
13

College of the Mainland

Score: 54.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $2,973
    • Out-of-State:$3,873
  • Net Price: $3,201
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,482
  • Undergrad Students: 4,482
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $39,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • College of the Mainland
14

Dallas College

Score: 53.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,050
    • Out-of-State:$6,000
  • Net Price: $2,743
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 48%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 64,156
  • Undergrad Students: 64,156
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • Dallas College
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15

Odessa College

Score: 46.17

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,912
    • Out-of-State:$4,806
  • Net Price: $9,899
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,995
  • Undergrad Students: 7,995
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $37,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Odessa College
16

Hill College

Score: 46.16

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,320
    • Out-of-State:$4,720
  • Net Price: $8,866
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 51%
  • Graduation Rate: 29%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,689
  • Undergrad Students: 3,689
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $29,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Hill College
17

Tyler Junior College

Score: 45.54

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,002
    • Out-of-State:$5,752
  • Net Price: $10,375
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,901
  • Undergrad Students: 11,901
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $37,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Tyler Junior College
18

San Jacinto Community College

Score: 43.54

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,456
    • Out-of-State:$5,352
  • Net Price: $11,077
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,593
  • Undergrad Students: 30,593
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $43,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • San Jacinto Community College
19

Weatherford College

Score: 39.23

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,110
    • Out-of-State:$9,630
  • Net Price: $9,872
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 19%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,445
  • Undergrad Students: 5,445
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $43,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Weatherford College
20

Texas College

Score: 33.92

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,008
    • Out-of-State:$10,008
  • Net Price: $11,174
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 30%
  • Graduation Rate: 16%
  • Total Enrollment: 642
  • Undergrad Students: 642
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $26,700
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Texas College

Steps to Become an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Texas


The Texas Education Agency provides all the information one requires to become a certified ECE preschool teacher in Texas. It is important to note that your requirements do not end once you complete your licensure. Current teachers must also complete a number of requirements to remain a teacher. You will also be required to complete a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting. Texas is quite flexible in allowing individuals to become teachers in the state who have completed the proper education and preparation requirements in another state.

Step 1. Earn Your Degree


To gain a teaching license in Texas, you will require at least a bachelor’s degree. You must complete a degree from an approved and accredited college or university as per the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Some positions will require a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, such as a superintendent or a school psychologist.

An early childhood teaching license generally requires a bachelor's degree, but a state teaching license may not be necessary for all ECE programs. Programs are overseen by three main groups: Head Start, Texas Early Learning Council, and the Texas Education Agency. Head Start increasingly requires bachelor's degrees, though some positions may still be available to those with associate degrees—so check requirements before enrolling. The Texas Early Learning Council has developed a career lattice, ranking ECE educators from high school diploma holders to those with doctoral degrees. Some child care facilities may hire without a certification, but requirements vary as most are privately operated.

During your degree program or at a separate time, you will also be required to complete an approved educator preparation program. If you already possess a degree, it is possible to complete an alternative certification program. If you pursue an early childhood education degree in Texas from an accredited higher learning institution, you will complete the approved preparation program as part of your degree. Keep in mind that the preschool teacher requirements may vary based on the management organization of the preschool program.

National Online Rankings - Top ECE Associate Degrees National Online Rankings - Top ECE Bachelor's Degrees National Online Rankings - Top ECE Master's Degrees read our education resources and scholarships guide

Find Your Online Early Childhood Education Program

Step 2. Pass Your Exam


Once you complete your bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program, you will be required to successfully complete early childhood education teacher certification exams. Because Texas has multiple organizations that oversee early childhood education, you may have to take several exams to qualify to teach at all preschools in Texas. Some of such certifications include the Head Start Preschool Teacher Standards, Texas Early Learning Council’s Early Childhood Career Lattice, and the State Preschool Teaching Certification from the Texas Education Agency.

These certifications will require that you have hands-on experience inside an ECE classroom. This is typically provided during an ECE degree program. You will also establish your ECE career development path as part of these certification processes and you may be required to complete the TEA teaching certificate. This certificate will allow you to teach in any ECE profession along with kindergarten through grade six. Testing locations for these certifications are typically only available in larger cities. After you pass your certifications, you must apply to the state for your official ECE certification.

Step 3. Career Advancement


Any person who completes a Texas Education Agency certificate for teaching preschool will be required to complete 150 hours of continuing professional education. The hours must be from approved programs or activities, such as college credits, online classes in areas related to early childhood education, or workshops in teaching tools and best practices. For individuals who became a teacher before a bachelor’s degree was required, classes toward a bachelor’s degree can be used toward the required hours of continuing professional education and they count toward moving up levels in the Early Childhood Career Lattice.

It is important to note that some employers do not require a bachelor’s degree; however, if you wish to make more money or get a job in a competitive market, you will need a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. To qualify for better jobs and to earn more money, you should complete advanced certificates and degrees in early childhood education or specialize to make yourself more employable.

Popular Career Choices

Additional Specialization Certifications


Advanced certificates and specializations will count toward your continuing education and provide you with greater career opportunities. Early childhood education is projected to grow as an industry through 2026 at a reasonable rate; however, it is also likely to become more competitive. One way to differentiate yourself from the competition is to specialize in areas that are severely lacking in qualified candidates. A few of these areas are special education and STEM.

You might briefly touch on these areas in your degree coursework; however, most schools do not offer majors in ECE special education or ECE STEM. You will be able to choose these areas as a minor or emphasis in some degree programs or earn a post-graduate certificate from others. Keep in mind that these positions often pay better, and they have significantly less competition at the best schools with the best programs that are properly funded. All of these aspects can help make your teaching life significantly easier.


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