Early Childhood Education Degree in Oklahoma City, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Oklahoma City, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$44K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Oklahoma City
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Oklahoma City, OK Overview
Oklahoma City is one of Oklahoma's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 35,923. Public tuition averages $7,756/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 Oklahoma City is approximately $48,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,756/yr
Private Tuition
$31,115/yr
Room & Board
$13,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,650/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Oklahoma City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oklahoma City's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Oklahoma City adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Oklahoma City
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Oklahoma City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,756 | Private avg: $31,115
Oklahoma City avg aid: $12,650/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Oklahoma City
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oklahoma City
$91,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($174,600) minus total education cost ($83,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Oklahoma City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oklahoma City for Early Childhood Education
University of Central Oklahoma
public
$7,756/yr
$31,024 total
Oklahoma City University
private
$35,200/yr
$140,800 total
Oklahoma Christian University
private
$27,030/yr
$108,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Oklahoma City Community College
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oklahoma City Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Tulsa, OK
$42K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Norman, OK
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$48K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$45K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$44K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Oklahoma City
Instructional Design & Technology
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$49K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Oklahoma City — 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 Oklahoma City.