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Early Childhood Education Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026

Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. 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

7.3 yrs

in Little Rock

Cost of Living

85

index (100 = avg)

Early Childhood Education in Little Rock, AR Overview

Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Little Rock is approximately $42,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

24

Public Tuition

$9,312/yr

Private Tuition

$13,320/yr

Room & Board

$13,863/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,402/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

49%

Early Childhood Education Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,500($-7,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$38,250($-6,750 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$44,200($-7,800 vs national)

Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.

Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Little Rock

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

Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320

Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$92,700

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,750

vs HS diploma in Little Rock

ROI Payback Period

7.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Little Rock

$60,300

Lifetime earnings premium ($153,000) minus total education cost ($92,700)

Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Little Rock

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,053
Total Interest$33,611
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,814
Total Interest$16,127
Interest Savings$17,484

Colleges in Little Rock for Early Childhood Education

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

public

$9,312/yr

$37,248 total

Philander Smith University

private

$13,320/yr

$53,280 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Pulaski Technical College

$3,800/yr

Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Little Rock

Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock — 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 Little Rock.

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