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Early Childhood Program Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Early Childhood Program Administration equips professionals with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead and manage early childhood education settings. This program emphasizes the development of leadership competencies essential for directing high-quality programs that support child development, staff effectiveness, and organizational sustainability.

  • Early Childhood Education Foundations: Explores evidence-based teaching practices and curriculum design tailored to children from infancy through age eight, emphasizing play-based and developmentally appropriate learning.
  • Program and Facilities Planning: Focuses on designing safe, inclusive, and functionally efficient learning environments that align with developmental needs and regulatory standards.
  • Budgeting and Administrative Management: Develops skills in financial planning, resource allocation, and operational oversight to ensure fiscal responsibility and program stability.
  • Public Relations and Community Engagement: Teaches strategies for building strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and stakeholders to enhance program visibility and support.
  • Human Resources Management: Covers recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and team leadership to foster a motivated and qualified workforce.
  • Child Development and Growth: Provides in-depth understanding of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development across early childhood stages to inform program decisions.
  • Counseling and Support Skills: Prepares administrators to address behavioral and emotional challenges in young children and support staff well-being through empathetic and effective communication.
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Examines federal, state, and local laws governing early childhood programs, including licensing, health standards, and anti-discrimination policies.
  • School Safety and Risk Management: Addresses protocols for preventing and responding to emergencies, ensuring a secure environment for children, staff, and visitors.
  • Policy Development and Implementation: Focuses on creating, analyzing, and enforcing policies that promote equity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Professional Ethics and Standards: Reinforces integrity, transparency, and accountability in leadership practices, aligning with national benchmarks for early childhood education excellence.

Early Childhood Program Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

104
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
8
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Early Childhood Program Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Early Childhood Program Administration degrees, including Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary and Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 391,250 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary 11-9032 $104,070 $72,400 - $165,820 319,630 N/A
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare 11-9031 $56,270 $37,060 - $96,400 71,620 $27.05

Early Childhood Program Administration Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,195 in Mississippi to $127,620 in Maryland—a 109% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 391,250 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Early Childhood Program Administration by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 8 institutions offering Early Childhood Program Administration programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Early Childhood Program Administration is found at East Georgia State College (EGSC) (27 graduates), Oakland Community College (OCC) (27 graduates), Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) (17 graduates), Claflin University (15 graduates), and Walden University (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 104 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
East Georgia State College (EGSC)
Associate's
27 Swainsboro, Georgia Public ega.edu
Oakland Community College (OCC)
Associate's
27 Auburn Hills, Michigan Public oaklandcc.edu
Midwestern State University (MSU Texas)
Bachelor's
17 Wichita Falls, Texas Public msutexas.edu
Claflin University
Bachelor's
15 Orangeburg, South Carolina Private claflin.edu
Walden University
Postbac Cert.
6 Minneapolis, Minnesota Private waldenu.edu
University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global)
Master's
6 Irvine, California Public umassglobal.edu
Community College of Vermont (CCV)
Other Award
4 Montpelier, Vermont Public ccv.edu
Lewis-Clark State College (LC State)
Bachelor's
2 Lewiston, Idaho Public lcsc.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Early Childhood Program Administration programs

How much can I earn with a Early Childhood Program Administration degree?

Salaries for Early Childhood Program Administration graduates vary by role and location. Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary earn a median of $104,070 annually, while Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn around $56,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maryland average $127,620 compared to $61,195 in Mississippi. Approximately 391,250 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Early Childhood Program Administration programs?

Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Early Childhood Program Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include East Georgia State College (EGSC) (27 graduates), Oakland Community College (OCC) (27 graduates), and Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) (17 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

What career paths are available with a Early Childhood Program Administration degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare, . Related occupations employ approximately 391,250 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Education Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Education field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.