Early Childhood Education Degree in Waldorf, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Waldorf, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Waldorf
Cost of Living
120.7
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Waldorf, MD Overview
While Waldorf has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Early Childhood Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,443/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 Waldorf is approximately $60,350.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,454/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Waldorf (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waldorf's cost of living index of 120.7 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Waldorf adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Waldorf
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Waldorf tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Waldorf avg aid: $12,454/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,972
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,105
vs HS diploma in Waldorf
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waldorf
$112,288
Lifetime earnings premium ($217,260) minus total education cost ($104,972)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Waldorf
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waldorf for Early Childhood Education
Waldorf State University
public
$10,152/yr
$40,608 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waldorf Community College
$5,704/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Waldorf
Waldorf offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waldorf Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Waldorf
Instructional Design & Technology
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Waldorf — 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 Waldorf.