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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
1,649 Child Care Provider/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$41,347 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child Care Provider/Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best child care provider/assistant schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child Care Provider/Assistant in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the child care provider/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Child Care Provider/Assistant

1
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 school for child care provider/assistant. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 68 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Harper College

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for child care provider/assistant. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 152 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $50,314 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from College Of Lake County

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child care provider/assistant, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 57 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,292. Students borrow a median of $12,272 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

4

Students looking for a strong child care provider/assistant program will find one at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 107 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $34,294. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

5
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. About 50 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Oakton Community College in the most recent year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Oakton Community College

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. 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 113 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn around $37,381 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College

7

Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 74 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $41,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Lewis And Clark Community College

8

Waubonsee Community College earned the #8 position for child care provider/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 38 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Waubonsee Community College earn around $39,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Waubonsee Community College

9

Illinois Valley Community College placed #9 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 71 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $33,224 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,099. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Illinois Valley Community College

10

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 90 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Moraine Valley Community College

11

Heartland Community College came in at #11 for child care provider/assistant this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Heartland Community College awarded about 46 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,266. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Heartland Community College

12
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College landed the #12 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 36 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,236. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Rock Valley College

13

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. About 10 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,434. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

14

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #14 for child care provider/assistant this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. About 175 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Southwestern Illinois College

15

Sauk Valley Community College came in at #15 for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 16 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Sauk Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete this degree. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Sauk Valley Community College

16
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College landed the #16 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. About 79 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Kaskaskia College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $45,658 in their early career. Kaskaskia College graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Kaskaskia College

17

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #17 for child care provider/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Springfield. About 32 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Typical student debt for the program is $11,272. Get the full child care provider/assistant details for Lincoln Land Community College

18

Highland Community College Freeport came in at #18 for child care provider/assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Freeport. About 30 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Highland Community College Freeport in the most recent year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $46,384 in their early career. Highland Community College Freeport graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Highland Community College Freeport

19
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #19 for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. Parkland College awarded about 11 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $40,409 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Parkland College

20

Richland Community College came in at #20 for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 17 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Richland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $46,233 in their early career. Richland Community College graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Richland Community College

21

Kankakee Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 55 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Kankakee Community College in the most recent year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Kankakee Community College

22

Rend Lake College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. About 46 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Rend Lake College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Rend Lake College earn around $42,770 in the first couple years of their career. Rend Lake College graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Rend Lake College

23

Kishwaukee College earned the #23 position for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 28 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Kishwaukee College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Kishwaukee College earn around $30,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Kishwaukee College

24

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #24 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 75 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $33,960 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

25

John Wood Community College earned the #25 position for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. John Wood Community College awarded about 31 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from John Wood Community College earn around $45,748 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete this degree. See the full child care provider/assistant program report for John Wood Community College

Rest of the Top 29 Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child care provider/assistant education:

26
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
27
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
28
29

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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