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

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in the Southwest Region. 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, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,258 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,256 early in their careers. Set against $9,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,971. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Western Texas College
Snyder, TX

Western Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.

5

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar 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 Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College came in at #6 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $16,150. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College earned the #7 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $15,720. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.

8

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #8 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District came in at #10 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.

11

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #11 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $32,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College came in at #12 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Carl Albert State College
Poteau, OK

Carl Albert State College landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $23,071. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Hill College came in at #14 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,302. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.

15

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College came in at #15 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $19,223. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College earned the #16 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Lamar Institute Of Technology
Beaumont, TX

Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #17 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,811. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
Choctaw, OK

Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Choctaw. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,311 ten years after entry.

20

Northeast Technology Center System Office
Pryor, OK

Northeast Technology Center System Office earned the #20 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public school located in the town of Pryor. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Technology Center System Office generally make around $35,262.

21

Cisco College
Cisco, TX

Cisco College placed #21 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,710, with out-of-state students paying around $7,140. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cisco College generally make around $17,820. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College came in at #22 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Tulsa Technology Center
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Technology Center earned the #23 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College earned the #24 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College
Miami, OK

Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Students borrow a median of $15,568 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,400. Set against $15,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.