Kindergarten and Preschool Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for future educators committed to shaping early childhood development, this program equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively teach young learners in structured preschool and kindergarten environments. Emphasis is placed on fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth during the foundational years of childhood education.
- Early Childhood Development Theories: Exploration of key psychological and developmental frameworks that inform teaching practices for children aged three to six, including Piaget’s stages, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, and Erikson’s psychosocial development.
- Curriculum Design for Young Learners: Instruction in creating age-appropriate, play-based, and inquiry-driven learning experiences that align with developmental milestones and educational standards.
- Foundations of Literacy and Numeracy: Training in introducing foundational reading, writing, and mathematical concepts through interactive, developmentally appropriate methods tailored to early learners.
- Classroom Management and Behavior Support: Strategies for establishing positive learning environments, promoting social-emotional development, and addressing diverse behavioral needs in young children.
- Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Techniques for evaluating student growth through observational tools, formative assessments, and individualized learning plans that support equitable outcomes.
- Family and Community Engagement: Best practices for building collaborative relationships with families and community partners to enhance student success and holistic development.
Kindergarten and Preschool Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Kindergarten and Preschool Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Kindergarten and Preschool Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education and Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. 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 618,580 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2012 | $61,430 | $45,750 - $99,360 | 114,410 | N/A |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011 | $37,120 | $28,300 - $60,070 | 445,080 | $17.85 |
Kindergarten and Preschool Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,247 in Mississippi to $71,997 in California—a 59% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 618,580 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 Kindergarten and Preschool Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 98 institutions offering Kindergarten and Preschool Education 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 Kindergarten and Preschool Education is found at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (167 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (143 graduates), Georgia State University (121 graduates), Western Carolina University (WCU) (82 graduates), and University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (79 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,581 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Other Award
|
167 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Other Award
|
143 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
121 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
82 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
79 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Western New Mexico University (WNMU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
64 | Silver City, New Mexico | Public | wnmu.edu |
| New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Las Vegas, New Mexico | Public | nmhu.edu |
| County College of Morris (CCM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
55 | Randolph, New Jersey | Public | ccm.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Associate's
|
54 | Huron, Ohio | Public | firelands.bgsu.edu |
| Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
37 | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
| Athens State University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Athens, Alabama | Public | athens.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Master's
|
34 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
34 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
26 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
26 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Westfield State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 | Westfield, Massachusetts | Public | westfield.ma.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Gallup, New Mexico | Public | gallup.unm.edu |
| Johnston Community College (JCC) |
Other Award
|
24 | Smithfield, North Carolina | Public | johnstoncc.edu |
| Stanly Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Albemarle, North Carolina | Public | stanly.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
19 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Alamance Community College (ACC) |
Other Award
|
19 | Graham, North Carolina | Public | alamancecc.edu |
| Middlesex Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Bedford, Massachusetts | Public | middlesex.mass.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Flat Rock, North Carolina | Public | blueridge.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
15 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
15 | New Philadelphia, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
14 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO A&M) |
Associate's
|
14 | Miami, Oklahoma | Public | neo.edu |
| Keystone College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
14 | La Plume, Pennsylvania | Private | keystone.edu |
| Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Itta Bena, Mississippi | Public | mvsu.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Associate's
|
12 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Haywood Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Clyde, North Carolina | Public | haywood.edu |
| Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | wssu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati |
Associate's
|
11 | Blue Ash, Ohio | Public | ucblueash.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
11 | Salem, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Arecibo, Puerto Rico | Private | arecibo.inter.edu |
| Bowie State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bowie, Maryland | Public | bowiestate.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Master's
|
10 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Public | ecsu.edu |
| Lenoir Community College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Kinston, North Carolina | Public | lenoircc.edu |
| Shawnee State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Portsmouth, Ohio | Public | shawnee.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
9 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| Cleveland Community College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Shelby, North Carolina | Public | clevelandcc.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Morganton, North Carolina | Public | wpcc.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
8 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| Stevenson University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Owings Mills, Maryland | Private | stevenson.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
8 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Catawba College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Private | catawba.edu |
| Davidson-Davie Community College |
Other Award
|
6 | Thomasville, North Carolina | Public | davidsondavie.edu |
| Robeson Community College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Lumberton, North Carolina | Public | robeson.edu |
| Miami University |
Associate's
|
6 | Hamilton, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Associate's
|
5 | Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico | Public | taos.unm.edu |
| Richmond Community College |
Other Award
|
5 | Hamlet, North Carolina | Public | richmondcc.edu |
| Hampton University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hampton, Virginia | Private | hamptonu.edu |
| Casper College |
Associate's
|
5 | Casper, Wyoming | Public | caspercollege.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| College of Menominee Nation (CMN) |
Associate's
|
5 | Keshena, Wisconsin | Private | menominee.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Northwest State Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Archbold, Ohio | Public | northweststate.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| Essex County College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | essex.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Gardner-Webb University (GWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | Private | gardner-webb.edu |
| Butler County Community College (BC3) |
Associate's
|
3 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Public | bc3.edu |
| Erskine College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Due West, South Carolina | Private | erskine.edu |
| Furman University |
Master's
|
3 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
| Marshall University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon (UCB) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Private | ucb.edu.pr |
| Antioch University (AUNE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Keene, New Hampshire | Private | antiochne.edu |
| Bethesda University |
Other Award
|
2 | Anaheim, California | Private | buc.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Felician University |
Master's
|
2 | Lodi, New Jersey | Private | felician.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| Bladen Community College (BCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Dublin, North Carolina | Public | bladencc.edu |
| Carteret Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Morehead City, North Carolina | Public | carteret.edu |
| Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Sanford, North Carolina | Public | cccc.edu |
| Martin Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Williamston, North Carolina | Public | martincc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Kindergarten and Preschool Education programs
How much can I earn with a Kindergarten and Preschool Education degree?
Salaries for Kindergarten and Preschool Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn around $61,430. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $71,997 compared to $45,247 in Mississippi. Approximately 618,580 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 Kindergarten and Preschool Education programs?
Currently 126 accredited institutions offer Kindergarten and Preschool Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (167 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (143 graduates), and Georgia State University (121 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.
Is enrollment in Kindergarten and Preschool Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,200 in 2010 to 2,616 in 2023-24. This represents a 18% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Kindergarten and Preschool Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, and Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. Related occupations employ approximately 618,580 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.
Multiple Level Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at more than one educational level, such as a combined program in elementary/secondary, early childhood/elementary,...
Montessori Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori...
Early Childhood Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach students ranging in age from infancy through eight years (grade three), depending on the school system...
Online Teaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various academic levels through online instructional technologies. Includes instruction in andragogy, pedagogy, assessment, instructional...
International Teaching and Learning
A program that prepares individuals to teach in schools that are implementing or proposing to implement the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Includes instruction in...
STEM Education Methods
A program that prepares individuals to connect education practices with scientific, engineering, and mathematical principles for PreK-12 students. Includes instruction in critical thinking,...