2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools

1

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $17,075. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

4

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #4. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.

5

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #5 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,519. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

6

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College earned the #6 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,999. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

8

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,288. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $18,158. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $24,385. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.

10

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College earned the #10 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College placed #11 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #12 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

14

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,258 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College placed #16 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,500. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College earned the #20 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $14,308. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

23

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #23 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,643. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

24

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Coastal Pines Technical College
Waycross, GA

Coastal Pines Technical College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.