2026 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child care provider/assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 446 schools to find the best return on investment for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for child care provider/assistant in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #4 place for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. 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.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,258. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $20,250. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #10 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College landed the #11 spot for child care provider/assistant value 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, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $15,000. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $34,294. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $18,116. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #16 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. 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. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College earned the #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College earned the #18 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. 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 $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #19 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,272 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,292 early in their careers. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College landed the #22 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #23 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Citrus College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Imperial Valley College came in at #25 for value in child care provider/assistant 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in child care provider/assistant:
Other Child Care Provider/Assistant Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Child Care Provider/Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 31 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.
