[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 320 schools to find the best return on investment for child care provider/assistant students.
Finding the Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant School for You
The child care provider/assistant program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in child care provider/assistant in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $17,075. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,630. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $23,863. Set against $6,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #5 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $18,158. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College earned the #6 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Joliet Junior College placed #7 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #8 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,382. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Canada College came in at #9 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College placed #10 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #11 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Victor Valley College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College came in at #15 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Florida Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,902. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,266. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College placed #18 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,136 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $18,807 early in their careers. Set against $9,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #20 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #22 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #23 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant 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.
South Georgia Technical College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,423. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #25 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child care provider/assistant value ranking:
Child Care Provider/Assistant Related Rankings by Major
Child Care Provider/Assistant is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 320 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 320 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).
[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
