by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 108 schools to find the best return on investment for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child care provider/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Skyline College the best value for a degree in child care provider/assistant in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for child care provider/assistant. 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, 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.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #6 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. 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. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in child care provider/assistant 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. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #8 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $10,288. 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.
Canada College earned the #9 position 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, 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
San Diego City College landed the #11 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #12 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons placed #13 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #14 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. 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.
Ventura College placed #15 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a 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 $20,250. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College came in at #16 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #17 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. 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.
Norco College earned the #19 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Gavilan College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child care provider/assistant 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.