Numerous research studies have demonstrated the economic value of investing in effective early education and intervention programs that cognitively, socially, and emotionally prepare low-income children at risk of school failure for success in school. School readiness prevents or reduces needless public spending, starting with K-12 special education and lasting through adulthood in the social welfare and criminal justice systems. Without early education and support for healthy development, an at-risk child is more likely to start school at a disadvantage and ultimately more likely to drop out of school, earn lower wages, depend on public assistance, or commit crimes. Conversely, those who start school healthy and prepared are more likely, as adults, to be employed, earn higher incomes, and contribute more in taxes. This brief describes the lifetime economic benefit to the state of Minnesota per child of both targeted early learning investments and universal Pre-K.