by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 117 schools to find the best return on investment for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child care provider/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #4 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
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Fresno City College landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,098. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #8 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Canada College came in at #9 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #10 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. 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. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College came in at #12 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. 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.
West Valley College landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #15 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $20,250. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #16 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Imperial Valley College came in at #17 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #18 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Norco College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Pasadena City College placed #21 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #24 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,000. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child care provider/assistant value ranking:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.