Best institutions to study Early Childhood Program Administration
A program that focuses on early childhood educational program administration and prepares individuals to serve as a principal or director of an early childhood educational program.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 99 Early Childhood Program Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0414, a specialization of Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04), and leads most directly to the Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare occupation (BLS SOC 11-9031).
About Early Childhood Program Administration programs
A program that focuses on early childhood educational program administration and prepares individuals to serve as a principal or director of an early childhood educational program. Includes instruction in early childhood education, program and facilities planning, budgeting and administration, public relations, human resources management, early childhood growth and development, counseling skills, applicable law and regulations, school safety, policy studies, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Early Childhood Program Administration program focuses on preparing individuals for leadership roles in early childhood educational settings. This program is ideal for those aspiring to become principals or directors of early childhood programs, equipping them with essential administrative skills and knowledge in early childhood education.
Students in this program will gain expertise in various areas, including program planning, budgeting, public relations, and human resources management. Coursework also covers early childhood development, applicable laws and regulations, and professional standards, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Credentials awarded
What Early Childhood Program Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree32 graduates / yr · 2 institutions32%
- Bachelor's degree26 graduates / yr · 3 institutions26%
- Associate's degree21 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year7 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.1%
Graduates over time
Early Childhood Program Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 68 |
| 2023 | 78 |
| 2024 | 104 |
| 2025 | 99 |
CIP 13.0414 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 8 institutions for Early Childhood Program Administration, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 43% | $31,817 |
| 2 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAssociate's | 21 | 21% | — |
| 3 | Claflin University Orangeburg, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 52% | $23,698 |
| 4 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitPost-degree cert. | 13 | — | — |
| 5 | Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TXPublicBachelor's | 11 | 43% | — |
| 6 | Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 20% | — |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CAPublicMaster's | 4 | 43% | — |
| 8 | Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, IDPublicBachelor's | 1 | 40% | — |
Offered in 7 states
Where Early Childhood Program Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Administration and Supervision programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 32 | National University28 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 21 | Oakland Community College21 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 14 | Claflin University14 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 13 | Walden University13 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 11 | Midwestern State University11 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 7 | Community College of Vermont7 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | Lewis - Clark State College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9031, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Early Childhood Program Administration program can pursue careers as Education and Childcare Administrators, primarily in preschool and daycare settings. While the job outlook shows a decline of 2.5%, there are approximately 5,500 annual openings, with a median wage of $56,270 for those typically holding a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0414
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycareprimary SOC 11-9031 | $59,300 | -2.5% Decline | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary SOC 11-9032 | $105,870 | -1.5% Decline | ~20,800 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Early Childhood Program Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioral or learning problems.
- Monitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
- Teach classes or courses or provide direct care to children.
- Set educational standards and goals and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out.
- Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of program schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Administration and Supervision specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04).
- Educational Leadership and AdministrationCIP 13.040131,615 graduates / yr708 institutions
- Higher Education/CIP 13.0406
Higher Education Administration 4,257 graduates / yr258 institutions - Educational Administration and SupervisionCIP 13.04992,266 graduates / yr93 institutions
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum SupervisionCIP 13.04041,918 graduates / yr78 institutions
- Elementary and Middle School Administration/CIP 13.0408
Principalship 1,306 graduates / yr30 institutions - Superintendency and Educational System AdministrationCIP 13.04111,176 graduates / yr83 institutions
- Urban Education and LeadershipCIP 13.0410674 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Secondary School Administration/CIP 13.0409
Principalship 397 graduates / yr23 institutions - Community College AdministrationCIP 13.0407375 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Adult and Continuing Education AdministrationCIP 13.0403367 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Administration of Special EducationCIP 13.0402253 graduates / yr30 institutions
- International School Administration/CIP 13.0412
Leadership partial data22 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education EntrepreneurshipCIP 13.0413limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Educational Administration and Supervision programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What are the primary career options after graduation?+
The primary career option is as an Education and Childcare Administrator, with additional opportunities in education administration.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook indicates a decline of 2.5%, but there are still about 5,500 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Early Childhood Program Administration?+
Early Childhood Program Administration is CIP 13.0414 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on early childhood educational program administration and prepares individuals to serve as a principal or director of an early childhood educational program. Includes instruction in early childhood education, program and facilities planning, budgeting and administration, public relations, human resources management, early childhood growth and development, counseling skills, applicable law and regulations, school safety, policy studies, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Early Childhood Program Administration programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Early Childhood Program Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 99 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Educational Administration and Supervision graduates.
How much do Early Childhood Program Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare occupation, which Early Childhood Program Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,300 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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