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Early Childhood Education Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026

Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$71K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$63K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Bridgeport

Cost of Living

141

index (100 = avg)

Early Childhood Education in Bridgeport, CT Overview

Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/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 Bridgeport is approximately $70,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$13,201/yr

Private Tuition

$35,160/yr

Room & Board

$19,837/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$10,621/yr

Unemployment

4.7%

Graduation Rate

69%

Early Childhood Education Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,500(+$20,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$63,450(+$18,450 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$73,320(+$21,320 vs national)

Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.

Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Bridgeport

Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160

Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$132,152

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$21,150

vs HS diploma in Bridgeport

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Bridgeport

$121,648

Lifetime earnings premium ($253,800) minus total education cost ($132,152)

Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Bridgeport

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$132,152
Monthly Payment$1,501
Total Interest$47,915
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$132,152
Monthly Payment$2,586
Total Interest$22,990
Interest Savings$24,925

Colleges in Bridgeport for Early Childhood Education

University of Bridgeport

private

$35,160/yr

$140,640 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Housatonic Community College

$4,920/yr

Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Bridgeport

Bridgeport offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PreschoolsHead StartChild Care CentersPublic SchoolsNon-Profits

Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles

Preschool TeacherChild Development SpecialistHead Start Director

Early Childhood Education Degree in Bridgeport — 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 Bridgeport.

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