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).
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)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
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:
Key Little Rock Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Arkansas Cities
Fayetteville, AR
$45K starting · COL 89
4 colleges
Fort Smith, AR
$39K starting · COL 78.5
4 colleges
Springdale, AR
$43K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Jonesboro, AR
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Rogers, AR
$44K starting · COL 88.2
3 colleges
Conway, AR
$42K starting · COL 84.5
3 colleges
North Little Rock, AR
$43K starting · COL 86.6
3 colleges
Bentonville, AR
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Little Rock
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 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.