2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in Illinois
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child care provider/assistant schools.
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2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child care provider/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in child care provider/assistant in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. 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 $12,272 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington 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 $11,533. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #7 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #8 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,272. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #10 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $13,783. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. 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.
Richland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College came in at #13 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,963. 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.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage placed #16 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,492. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County landed the #17 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,785. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,750. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College placed #19 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
John Wood Community College placed #21 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College came in at #22 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,734 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Morton College earn a median of $23,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College earned the #23 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #24 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College earned the #25 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,688. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in child care provider/assistant:
More Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings
View All Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
