Early Childhood Education Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Fontana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Fontana
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Fontana, CA Overview
Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/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 Fontana is approximately $53,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$11,333/yr
Private Tuition
$38,840/yr
Room & Board
$18,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,336/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Fontana
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Fontana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840
Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Fontana
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fontana
$69,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($190,800) minus total education cost ($121,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Fontana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fontana for Early Childhood Education
California Baptist University Fontana
private
$38,840/yr
$155,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chaffey College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Fontana
Fontana offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fontana Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Fontana
Instructional Design & Technology
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Fontana — 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 Fontana.