2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,292. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,099. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #7 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,602. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College landed the #8 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.

9

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #9 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $17,310 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $30,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College placed #11 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $14,478. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $21,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College placed #12 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,272. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Highland Community College Freeport
Freeport, IL

Highland Community College Freeport landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College earned the #14 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #15 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

16

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College earned the #16 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #17 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,250. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.

18

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #18 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College earned the #19 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County came in at #20 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,785. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College placed #22 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,478. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $25,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Mott Community College
Flint, MI

Mott Community College landed the #23 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Kishwaukee College
Malta, IL

Kishwaukee College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.

25

John Wood Community College
Quincy, IL

John Wood Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $13,844. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,748. Set against $13,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.