Early Childhood Education Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Early Childhood Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Tempe is approximately $56,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,950
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$75,324
Lifetime earnings premium ($203,400) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Early Childhood Education
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Education Majors in Tempe
Instructional Design & Technology
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$57K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$57K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$57K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.