Early childhood education programs in Alaska

5 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

2 schools offer these early childhood education programs, and Alaska has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.¹ The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.²

In Alaska, all 5 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 5 programs here are child care or preschool certificate (3 programs) and early childhood education (associate degree, 2 programs).

See the 5 programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in Alaska?

$5,400 to $18,000

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: 30 to 60 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Alaska may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in Alaska?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $5,400 to $18,000.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 5 early childhood programs in Alaska approved for WIOA funding

5 programs

Early childhood education (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Early Childhood Education (AAS)
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Fairbanks
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF, FairbanksEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$35,100
Price if you pay yourself$18,000
Program website, Early Childhood Education (AAS) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
More details about Early Childhood Education (AAS) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Finished
35%
Working at 6 months
60%
Earned in a quarter
$8,785
Length
60 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$4,500
Students counted
128
Earned a year, estimated
$35,100
Price if you pay yourself
$18,000
Program website, Early Childhood Education (AAS) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Early childhood education (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Early Childhood Development (AAS)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), AnchorageEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$25,500
Price if you pay yourself$18,000
Program website, Early Childhood Development (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
More details about Early Childhood Development (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Finished
33%
Working at 6 months
68%
Earned in a quarter
$6,367
Length
60 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$4,500
Students counted
93
Earned a year, estimated
$25,500
Price if you pay yourself
$18,000
Program website, Early Childhood Development (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Early Childhood Education (CT2)
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Fairbanks
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF, FairbanksChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$39,600
Price if you pay yourself$10,200
Program website, Early Childhood Education (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
More details about Early Childhood Education (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
60%
Earned in a quarter
$9,888
Length
30 weeks, 17 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,550
Students counted
35
Earned a year, estimated
$39,600
Price if you pay yourself
$10,200
Program website, Early Childhood Education (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Infant & Toddler Development (OEC)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), AnchorageChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,300
Price if you pay yourself$5,400
Program website, Infant & Toddler Development (OEC) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
More details about Infant & Toddler Development (OEC) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
75%
Earned in a quarter
$11,078
Length
30 weeks, 9 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$1,350
Students counted
15
Earned a year, estimated
$44,300
Price if you pay yourself
$5,400
Program website, Infant & Toddler Development (OEC) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Child care or preschool certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nanny Caregiving (OEC)
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Based in Fairbanks, AK
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF, based in Fairbanks, AKChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$6,000
Program website, Nanny Caregiving (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
More details about Nanny Caregiving (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
30 weeks, 10 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$1,500
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$6,000
Program website, Nanny Caregiving (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF

How to pay for early childhood education programs in Alaska

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in Alaska

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁷⁸

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁹

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Early childhood education programs in Fairbanks, Anchorage and other Alaska cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 program is online.

Other training in Alaska

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in Alaska

Where the Alaska early childhood education program numbers come from

Which Alaska early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs Alaska approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).¹⁰ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Alaska offers.

How the prices and results of Alaska early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in Alaska

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services