Early Childhood Education Degree in Washington - Best Programs for 2025

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 Washington.

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early Childhood Education in the United States has been woefully neglected. Where most other wealthy nations send 80% of their students to preschool, the US only sends around 54%, trailing behind Chile and Mexico. However, the national legislature has now chosen to address this issue by allocating $5.2 billion to block grants.

States like Washington are sure to see an uptick in childcare and developmental programs. As an example from another west coast state, California is planning to assist youngsters with paid leave for new parents. When parents are able to spend extended periods with their children, the kids start life with stronger bonds that set the stage for more learning and success later in life.

Washington's Early Childhood Educators are sure to benefit from these block grants over time. If your town could use additional services for its youngest learners, see if your local government can seek out a grant to subsidize additional preschools or other development services.

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Featured Early Childhood Education Programs

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Best Washington Online Schools

Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in Washington

1

University of Washington

Score: 91.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State:$41,997
Net Price: $10,603
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 52,319
Undergrad Students: 36,213
Graduate Students: 16,106
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

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2

Heritage University

Score: 69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,920
- Out-of-State:$19,920
Net Price: $7,841
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 853
Undergrad Students: 796
Graduate Students: 57
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

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3

Central Washington University

Score: 66.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,192
- Out-of-State:$26,771
Net Price: $15,864
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 9,257
Undergrad Students: 8,743
Graduate Students: 514
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

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4

Western Washington University

Score: 65.84

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,286
- Out-of-State:$27,853
Net Price: $21,105
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 14,747
Undergrad Students: 13,801
Graduate Students: 946
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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5

Trinity Washington University

Score: 65.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $26,110
- Out-of-State:$26,110
Net Price: $13,586
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 1,895
Undergrad Students: 1,561
Graduate Students: 334
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

6

Eastern Washington University

Score: 64.6

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,353
- Out-of-State:$25,892
Net Price: $12,827
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,910
Undergrad Students: 7,604
Graduate Students: 3,306
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

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7

University of the District of Columbia

Score: 59.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,152
- Out-of-State:$13,004
Net Price: $15,021
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 54%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 3,577
Undergrad Students: 3,057
Graduate Students: 520
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

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8

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Score: 57.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,156
- Out-of-State:$11,017
Net Price: $9,694
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 3,150
Undergrad Students: 3,150
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

9

Green River College

Score: 56.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,580
- Out-of-State:$5,105
Net Price: $9,797
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 6,252
Undergrad Students: 6,252
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

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10

Peninsula College

Score: 54.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,586
- Out-of-State:$5,111
Net Price: $7,491
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 1,583
Undergrad Students: 1,583
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $34,700
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

11

Bellevue College

Score: 53.75

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,305
- Out-of-State:$10,183
Net Price: $11,404
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 10,617
Undergrad Students: 10,617
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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12

Walla Walla Community College

Score: 52.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,513
- Out-of-State:$7,967
Net Price: $8,971
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 2,662
Undergrad Students: 2,662
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,900
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

13

North Seattle College

Score: 52.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,058
- Out-of-State:$5,547
Net Price: $10,047
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 4,675
Undergrad Students: 4,675
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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14

Shoreline Community College

Score: 51.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,388
- Out-of-State:$7,430
Net Price: $9,442
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 54%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 4,418
Undergrad Students: 4,418
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $49,400
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

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15

Bates Technical College

Score: 51.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,569
- Out-of-State:$11,518
Net Price: $7,523
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 4,133
Undergrad Students: 4,133
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $41,500
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

16

Big Bend Community College

Score: 50.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,909
- Out-of-State:$5,443
Net Price: $10,184
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 1,736
Undergrad Students: 1,736
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,300
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

17

South Puget Sound Community College

Score: 48.2

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,103
- Out-of-State:$5,637
Net Price: $10,565
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 3,788
Undergrad Students: 3,788
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $33,500
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

18

Everett Community College

Score: 48.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,301
- Out-of-State:$10,180
Net Price: $11,271
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 6,054
Undergrad Students: 6,054
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $41,400
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

19

Clark College

Score: 46.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,632
- Out-of-State:$10,380
Net Price: $8,670
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,593
Undergrad Students: 6,593
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,700
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

20

Tacoma Community College

Score: 45.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,920
- Out-of-State:$11,030
Net Price: $7,789
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 5,502
Undergrad Students: 5,502
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $42,900
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

21

Spokane Community College

Score: 44.7

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,057
- Out-of-State:$5,494
Net Price: $6,295
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 6,502
Undergrad Students: 6,502
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,100
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

22

Highline College

Score: 44.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,623
- Out-of-State:$5,156
Net Price: $11,072
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 4,684
Undergrad Students: 4,684
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $42,800
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

23

Whatcom Community College

Score: 44.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,146
- Out-of-State:$11,096
Net Price: $9,156
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 3,340
Undergrad Students: 3,340
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $35,900
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

24

Wenatchee Valley College

Score: 43.5

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,118
- Out-of-State:$5,652
Net Price: $9,971
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 2,529
Undergrad Students: 2,529
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $39,100
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

25

Spokane Falls Community College

Score: 42.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,058
- Out-of-State:$5,494
Net Price: $7,117
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 3,795
Undergrad Students: 3,795
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $36,900
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Steps to Become an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Washington

Washington's pathway to becoming a certified teacher is a bit different than that of other states. Teachers do not receive state certification. However, the programs that will employ you do receive certification, and they can only do so if they employ teachers with specific qualifications. So, as with most states, the first step along the way is to attain a degree in education. However, you won’t need to spend four years getting your degree, as you can become an Early Childhood Educator if you have an associate’s degree. You should look for a program that specializes in Elementary Education. This will cement a sound foundation for your future as an educator and will also put you on a path for certification.

There are as many reasons to teach as there are teachers, or students. For most educators, teaching is a calling. They are driven to work with youngsters so as to help them grow up to become successful, happy adults. As your career progresses, you will find that the job is indeed quite difficult. After all, a teacher wears many hats throughout the day: teacher, social worker, disciplinarian, administrator, and manager, to name a few. However, if you have excellent training and are well-organized, your classrooms will hum like well-oiled machines. Not every student will stand out, but those that do will be a source of inspiration for a lifetime. What job can boast that?

Find Your Online Early Childhood Education Program

If you feel the calling to teach, there is probably no question in your mind but that this is the career for you. If that's the case, then it's time to get started. Find the best program for you and apply today!

Step 1. Earn Your Degree

Though you are technically not required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Washington, the state is full of colleges and universities that bestow online degrees in early childhood education. You may find that the job market is too competitive for someone with only an associate degree. Additionally, private schools and the Head Start program in the state often require their employees to have a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, so you’ll really want to consider whether or not you think it’s worth it.

Once you have worked through your degree curriculum, including a student teacher experience, you can move forward to attain a teaching credential and put your knowledge into action for the benefit of your students. Some courses you might take along your way to graduation include, but are not limited to:

Human Development
Classroom Management
Exceptional Child
Educational Technology
Music in Elementary Education

If you need to work while in pursuing your undergraduate degree, try to find work in an educational setting such as a preschool, or even as a paraprofessional. If you can pass the ETS Parapro examination, you can qualify to work in public schools alongside a fully-certified teacher. Such experience can be invaluable for your later classroom work and will look great on a resume when you graduate.

National Rankings - Online Associates Ranked National Rankings - Online Bachelors Ranked National Rankings - Online Masters Ranked

Step 2. Complete any Required Exams

As a capstone to your education, the state requires that you pass a standardized examination as part of your licensure application. Many states rely on the PRAXIS series, but in Washington you'll take Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-E). For Early Childhood Education, you must take the NES Early Childhood Education examination.

This is a 150-item, multiple-choice test that takes up to three hours. The exam measures your knowledge of the field. You can take the computer-based test (CBT) at any Pearson/Vue testing center in Washington state or nationwide. Thus, if you are studying in an out-of-state university but know you'll return, or move to, Washington, you can take the specific, required test. The test is broken down into four parts:

21% - Child Development and Learning
29% - Language and Literacy Development
36% - Learning Across the Curriculum
14% - Professional Relationships and Responsibilities

Step 3. Standards and Qualifications

The final step in qualifying for your Washington State teaching credential involves a background check and fingerprinting. The state patrol and the FBI will take your fingerprints for cross-reference against their databases. You will also fill out a character and fitness supplement which asks about your legal history and other character-specific matters pertinent to your career in the classroom.

If you have any infractions greater than speeding tickets or other minor items, you should report them and provide an accounting. That is, you should provide a description of the matter and detail how you paid your debt to society. That includes all relevant fines, community service, or even incarceration.

Popular Career Choices

Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Teacher

Potential Careers and Salaries for Graduates

Where You Can Work as an Early Childhood Educator

Public schools:
This is perhaps the most popular career route for future educators. Public Schools are ubiquitous in Washington and the rest of the nation. Once you have your teaching credentials, you can seek employment statewide, and likely even transfer your credentials if you happen to move to another state.
Private childcare:
Families sometimes employ independent childcare workers and trained educators to work with their children. These positions frequently involve a mix of pedagogy and childcare duties such as driving children to activities, meal preparation, and other supports.
Private schools:
Private schools offer much the same work environment as public institutions, but the classes are often smaller, and the pay somewhat lower on average. However, private school teachers often have more autonomy over their curriculum and classroom management. You don't need a license to work in private schools, but a background in education will be helpful when you are applying for work.
Head Start Programs:
These federally funded programs offer low-income students access to prekindergarten education that they might not be able to access otherwise. Given the recent budgetary allowances for Early Childhood Education, Head Start is likely to need more teachers.
Community-based Programs:
These programs offer children a way to interact with their wider community under the rubric of specific activities. These programs don't often require special licensure, but you will probably need to pass a background check prior to employment.
Faith-based Programs:
If your faith is something you wish to practice in your profession, you can seek out an appropriate faith-based program in which to teach. This could involve working in a church daycare/preschool or a stand-alone faith-based school.
Military Programs:
Certified teachers from any state are welcome to apply to travel the globe teaching the children of military personnel. Considering that the United States has bases on nearly every continent, you can broaden your own horizons while simultaneously expanding young minds.

Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in Washington

Preschool Teacher:
Your students are likely to be toddlers up to age four, or so. There are a wide range of prekindergarten programs that span from simple play, naps, and snacks to schools driven by strong educational philosophies that seek to instill lasting lessons. Montessori and Reggio-Emilia are two examples of creative preschool curricula.
Elementary School Teacher:
As an Elementary School Teacher, you will help students build a foundation of knowledge that will serve them for the rest of their lives. You will also nurture them as people, easing them through their development.
Professor of Education:
If your interest in education and pedagogy is more academic than practical, you can pursue a doctoral degree in Education and help prepare college students for the classroom. If you plan on teaching early education course, then it may be beneficial to spend a few years in an Elementary or Secondary classroom, but not necessarily required.
School Principal:
Teachers who wish to serve at a higher level than the classroom can return for master's degrees and then achieve an administration-level license. You will help groom teachers towards excellence while also crafting effective curricula for the students in your care.
Special Education Teacher:
Whether you are teaching ivy-league bound students with dyslexia or those with more profound barriers to learning, this can be one of the most rewarding careers. You must be able to put together Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each student, and then review these documents with parents and other professionals.
ESL Teacher:
Washington State is home to many students for whom English is not their first language. You can help these students master their new language and otherwise navigate our English-dominated culture.
School Psychologist:
Every student faces struggles as they grow up in this society. As a School Psychologist, you can help your students manage their difficulties. You might also administer personality or intelligence tests to help diagnose problems, or to help teachers better understand a unique child.
Teacher

Occupation	Entry-Level	Mid-Career	Late-Career
Preschool Teacher	$27,000	$35,200	$45,000
Elementary School Teacher	$41,450	$50,100	$73,920
Professor of Education	$52,000	$96,000	$180,000
Elementary School Principal	$76,000	$92,400	$118,000
Special Education Teacher	$36,000	$56,000	$86,000
ESL Teacher	$21,000	$40,000	$51,000
School Psychologist	$31,000	$60,000	$103,000

How to Become an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Washington

What is Early Childhood Education?

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Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in Washington

University of Washington

Heritage University

Central Washington University

Western Washington University

Trinity Washington University

Eastern Washington University

University of the District of Columbia

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Green River College

Peninsula College

Bellevue College

Walla Walla Community College

North Seattle College

Shoreline Community College

Bates Technical College

Big Bend Community College

South Puget Sound Community College

Everett Community College

Clark College

Tacoma Community College

Spokane Community College

Highline College

Whatcom Community College

Wenatchee Valley College

Spokane Falls Community College

Steps to Become an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Washington

Find Your Online Early Childhood Education Program

Step 1. Earn Your Degree

Step 2. Complete any Required Exams

Step 3. Standards and Qualifications

Potential Careers and Salaries for Graduates

Where You Can Work as an Early Childhood Educator

Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in Washington

Sources:

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