2027 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in Illinois
[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 33 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 Illinois
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
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in child care provider/assistant in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #6 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,994. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #7 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $13,289. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #10 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #11 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College placed #12 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $9,236. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Morton College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,734 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $23,252. That is a strong return on a $7,734 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #14 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. 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 landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,875. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College came in at #16 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. 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. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $40,806. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Black Hawk College came in at #17 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, 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 landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $7,440. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #19 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #20 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. 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. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #21 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #22 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,458. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $37,381 early in their careers. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $34,294. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Parkland College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sauk Valley Community College placed #25 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $12,811. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $48,855. Set against $12,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child care provider/assistant this year:
More Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
