Early Childhood Education Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$38K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.1 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. Early Childhood Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Child Development and Play-Based Learning. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $42,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
8.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$49,788
Lifetime earnings premium ($153,000) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for Early Childhood Education
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Ann Arbor
Instructional Design & Technology
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$43K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Ann Arbor — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Early Childhood Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Ann Arbor.