by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child Care Provider/Assistant](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-care-provider-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child care provider/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Eastern Shore Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child care provider/assistant schools in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $16,790 early in their careers. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paul D Camp 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 Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,012, compared with $11,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,074. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Paul D Camp Community College generally make around $40,070. That is a strong return on a $11,074 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $21,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in child care provider/assistant will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
John Tyler Community College placed #6 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,262. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College landed the #7 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $19,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $37,531. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #14 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,342 in student loans. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $25,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,342 median debt.
Tidewater Community College earned the #16 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $13,638. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $22,564. Set against $13,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #17 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.