University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for early childhood education in Florida.
What is Early Childhood Education?
There is a rising trend in parents bringing their young children to school. A few decades ago, school typically started at age 5. Today, parents bring their children age 3 or even younger to daycare centers. Some even bring infants. This is largely due to the growing awareness that it is never too early to start learning. Also, there is a growing awareness of special needs in some children.
The state of Florida has risen to the challenge of providing for the age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate learning needs of children. One of these responses is the VPK or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. This program helps to regulate and ensure the quality of child centers and learning institutions that accept these very young minds under their care and instruction.
One of the regulations instilled by the state is a set of requirements that every applicant must comply with. Once passed, these will prove that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skills required to provide the needs of every child placed under their care.
Featured Early Childhood Education Programs
Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in Florida
1
Florida State University
Score: 90.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,656
- Out-of-State:$18,786
- Net Price: $14,003
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 44,161
- Undergrad Students: 32,936
- Graduate Students: 11,225
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
2
University of South Florida
Score: 86.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State:$17,324
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
3
University of Central Florida
Score: 84.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
4
Florida International University
Score: 83.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
5
University of North Florida
Score: 79.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,389
- Out-of-State:$20,793
- Net Price: $11,338
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 16,406
- Undergrad Students: 14,171
- Graduate Students: 2,235
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
6
Florida Gulf Coast University
Score: 74.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State:$25,162
- Net Price: $10,834
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 15,969
- Undergrad Students: 14,130
- Graduate Students: 1,839
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
7
Florida Gateway College
Score: 72.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,100
- Out-of-State:$11,747
- Net Price: $3,079
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 2,706
- Undergrad Students: 2,706
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
8
Barry University
Score: 72.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,450
- Out-of-State:$33,450
- Net Price: $20,207
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 6,958
- Undergrad Students: 3,122
- Graduate Students: 3,836
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
9
Chipola College
Score: 71.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,120
- Out-of-State:$8,950
- Net Price: $3,316
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,826
- Undergrad Students: 1,826
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
10
Saint Johns River State College
Score: 69.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,830
- Out-of-State:$10,352
- Net Price: $6,187
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 6,434
- Undergrad Students: 6,434
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
11
St. Petersburg College
Score: 69.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State:$9,286
- Net Price: $2,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 23,501
- Undergrad Students: 23,501
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
12
Santa Fe College
Score: 68.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,563
- Out-of-State:$9,189
- Net Price: $11,380
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 12,729
- Undergrad Students: 12,729
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
13
Miami Dade College
Score: 68.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,838
- Out-of-State:$9,661
- Net Price: $5,478
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 47,245
- Undergrad Students: 47,245
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
14
Daytona State College
Score: 67.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,106
- Out-of-State:$11,994
- Net Price: $5,674
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,584
- Undergrad Students: 11,584
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
15
Indian River State College
Score: 67.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,764
- Out-of-State:$10,201
- Net Price: $5,019
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 14,862
- Undergrad Students: 14,862
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
16
Northwest Florida State College
Score: 66.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,246
- Out-of-State:$11,625
- Net Price: $7,082
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 4,898
- Undergrad Students: 4,898
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
17
College of Central Florida
Score: 65.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,710
- Out-of-State:$10,517
- Net Price: $7,865
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 5,483
- Undergrad Students: 5,483
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
18
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Score: 64.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,878
- Out-of-State:$9,992
- Net Price: $2,341
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 20,363
- Undergrad Students: 20,363
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
19
Pensacola State College
Score: 63.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,348
- Out-of-State:$9,407
- Net Price: $3,305
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 7,981
- Undergrad Students: 7,981
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
20
Florida SouthWestern State College
Score: 63.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,401
- Out-of-State:$12,979
- Net Price: $7,792
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 14,326
- Undergrad Students: 14,326
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
21
Polk State College
Score: 63.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,366
- Out-of-State:$12,272
- Net Price: $9,588
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 8,180
- Undergrad Students: 8,180
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
22
Rasmussen University
Score: 61.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,117
- Out-of-State:$15,117
- Net Price: $17,890
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 8,166
- Undergrad Students: 7,937
- Graduate Students: 229
- Grads Salary: $58,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
23
Lynn University
Score: 60.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,950
- Out-of-State:$42,950
- Net Price: $38,728
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 3,520
- Undergrad Students: 2,792
- Graduate Students: 728
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
24
North Florida College
Score: 60.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,054
- Out-of-State:$11,400
- Net Price: $4,968
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,127
- Undergrad Students: 1,127
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,500
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
25
Broward College
Score: 60.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,830
- Out-of-State:$8,952
- Net Price: $15,252
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 30,057
- Undergrad Students: 30,057
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
