2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 446 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant School for You
Where you study child care provider/assistant affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the United States
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
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $17,075. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #4. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #5 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,519. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #6 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,999. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,288. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $18,158. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $24,385. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #10 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #11 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #12 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,258 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #16 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. 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.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,500. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College earned the #20 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $14,308. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #23 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,643. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Norco College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child care provider/assistant this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 446 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
