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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Child Care Provider/Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools

31 Colleges in the United States
5,475 Child Care Provider/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$42,383 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child Care Provider/Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 446 schools to find the best for child care provider/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child Care Provider/Assistant in the United States

Below are the best child care provider/assistant schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Child Care Provider/Assistant

1

Our analysis ranked College Of Lake County the best school in the country for a degree in child care provider/assistant. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 29 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at College Of Lake County

2
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Students looking for a strong child care provider/assistant program will find one at Harper College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 16 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $44,523 in their early career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Harper College

3

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 24 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Santa Rosa Junior College

4

Central New Mexico Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child care provider/assistant, ranking #4. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. About 206 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $31,256 in the first couple years of their career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $9,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Central New Mexico Community College

5
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 137 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Cerritos College

6
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #6 position for child care provider/assistant this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 30 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $27,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Diablo Valley College

7

Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 59 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $30,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Fresno City College

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #8 for child care provider/assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 16 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,292 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,272. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

9

North Shore Community College placed #9 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. There were roughly 19 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at North Shore Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $34,978. Students borrow a median of $9,622 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at North Shore Community College

10
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #10 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. De Anza College awarded about 42 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at De Anza College

11
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #11 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 24 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Cuesta College

12
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 30 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Moorpark College

13

College Of Southern Nevada placed #13 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. There were roughly 28 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $35,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from College Of Southern Nevada

14

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #14 for child care provider/assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 20 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn around $34,294 in the first couple years of their career. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

15
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Ana. Santa Ana College awarded about 34 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Santa Ana College earn around $23,863 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,630 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Santa Ana College

16
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College came in at #16 for child care provider/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. About 50 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Citrus College

17
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #17 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 32 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Orange Coast College

18
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College placed #18 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. There were roughly 135 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rio Hondo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Typical student debt for the program is $15,510. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Rio Hondo College

19

San Joaquin Delta College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. San Joaquin Delta College awarded about 29 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from San Joaquin Delta College earn around $65,168 in the first couple years of their career. San Joaquin Delta College graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at San Joaquin Delta College

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College landed the #20 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College awarded about 20 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. Typical student debt for the program is $11,458. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College

21
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College earned the #21 position for child care provider/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 36 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $68,184 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Santa Barbara City College

22
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College came in at #22 for child care provider/assistant this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Foothill College awarded about 11 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Foothill College

23
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 35 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $51,913 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for College Of The Canyons

24

El Camino Community College District landed the #24 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 85 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for El Camino Community College District

25

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #25 for child care provider/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 73 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $27,768 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools

These schools also placed among the best for child care provider/assistant this year:

26
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA
27
28
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
29
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
30
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
31
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
32
33
34
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA
35
36
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
37
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
38
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
39
40
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
41
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
42
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
43
44
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
45
46
47
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
48
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
49
50
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Additional Child Care Provider/Assistant Award Winners

These schools also stood out for child care provider/assistant:

Rank School Location
#158 American Public University System Charles Town, WV

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for child care provider/assistant:

Other Child Care Provider/Assistant Degree Levels

Explore the best child care provider/assistant schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Child Care Provider/Assistant
Bachelor's Degrees in Child Care Provider/Assistant
Master's Degrees in Child Care Provider/Assistant
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View All Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 446 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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