2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child care provider/assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 149 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child care provider/assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child care provider/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $24,385. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $39,090. 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 Georgia Northwestern Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,492. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Atlanta Technical College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $18,059 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,086. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College came in at #8 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,669. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $41,947. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $18,419. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College landed the #10 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,718. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Florida Community College came in at #11 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,902. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $46,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College earned the #12 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #13 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #14 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $29,625 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $34,002. Set against $29,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,228 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $34,003. Set against $20,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College placed #16 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Mississippi Community College earned the #17 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,080 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $21,057. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #18 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $16,131. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,745. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,230. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,212. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $15,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College landed the #22 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $27,011. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #23 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College came in at #24 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,826 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $15,238. Set against $10,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #25 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,235. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $16,790. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in child care provider/assistant:
Narrow Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
