Early Childhood Education Degree in Wichita, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Wichita, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$47K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Wichita
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Wichita, KS Overview
Wichita, Kansas (pop. 397,532) has 20 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 104 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $837/month. 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 Wichita is approximately $52,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$43,408/yr
Room & Board
$12,817/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,474/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
46%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Wichita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wichita's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Wichita adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Wichita
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Wichita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $43,408
Wichita avg aid: $16,474/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Wichita
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wichita
$101,372
Lifetime earnings premium ($187,200) minus total education cost ($85,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Wichita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wichita for Early Childhood Education
Wichita State University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Butler Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Wichita
Wichita offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wichita Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Kansas Cities
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Wichita
Instructional Design & Technology
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Wichita — 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 Wichita.