2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 197 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child care provider/assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child care provider/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for child care provider/assistant in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #2 spot 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, 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. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,630 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $23,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Skyline College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #7 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College ranked #9 on our 2027 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, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.
Modesto Junior College landed the #10 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,136. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $21,794. Set against $9,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #11 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #12 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,769. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. 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.
Antelope Valley College landed the #16 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College landed the #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #22 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $8,098. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College earned the #23 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #25 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 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:
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 197 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 197 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.
