by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child Care & Support Services Management](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-and-support-services-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child care & support services management schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child care & support services management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Skyline College the best value for a degree in child care & support services management in California. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for child care & support services management. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $11,306. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care & support services management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career child care & support services management graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
West Valley College placed #6 among the best values for child care & support services management. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $14,308. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for child care & support services management. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $9,776. Early-career child care & support services management graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #8 spot for child care & support services management value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #9 spot for child care & support services management value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #10 among the best values for child care & support services management. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for value in child care & support services management this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #12 among the best values for child care & support services management. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #13 among the best values for child care & support services management. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #14 position for value in child care & support services management this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $6,630. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $23,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Folsom Lake College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Merced College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College came in at #18 for value in child care & support services management this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $13,180. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Chabot College landed the #19 spot for child care & support services management value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sierra College earned the #20 position for value in child care & support services management this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
American River College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child care & support services management schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for child care & support services management graduates is $14,105. Early-career child care & support services management graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College landed the #22 spot for child care & support services management value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College placed #23 among the best values for child care & support services management. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the child care & support services management program here. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #24 position for value in child care & support services management this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College came in at #25 for value in child care & support services management this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Child Care & Support Services Management graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care & support services management degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child care & support services management value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.