2027 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 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 Great Lakes Region
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for child care provider/assistant. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,994. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Richland Community College landed the #7 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #8 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,272. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College earned the #9 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Kankakee Community College earned the #10 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College placed #11 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,478 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Delta College earn a median of $21,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,478 median debt.
Prairie State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College came in at #13 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Students borrow a median of $7,734 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $23,252. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College landed the #16 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #17 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #18 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College placed #19 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. Set against $10,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #21 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College placed #22 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $17,310. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $30,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,785. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #24 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,292. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child care provider/assistant value ranking:
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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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
