2027 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong child care provider/assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value child care provider/assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in child care provider/assistant, no school beat South Texas College this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $19,971. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for child care provider/assistant. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,372, while out-of-state students pay about $3,268. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned it the #4 place for child care provider/assistant. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child care provider/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #6 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,256. That is a strong return on a $9,258 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #7 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #8 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #9 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College came in at #10 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #11 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #12 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #13 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #16 among the best values for child care provider/assistant. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #17 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,230 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $32,967. That is a strong return on a $20,230 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #18 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $18,000. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $32,997. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Cisco College earned the #19 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Cisco College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cisco. In-state tuition and fees average $4,710, compared with $7,140 for out-of-state students. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Cisco College generally make around $17,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center came in at #20 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public university. Median earnings reach $49,311 ten years out.
Connors State College earned the #21 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,071 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. Set against $16,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College earned the #22 position for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the child care provider/assistant program here. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #23 for value in child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for child care provider/assistant graduates is $11,290. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Blinn College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value child care provider/assistant schools. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career child care provider/assistant graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Technology Center System Office landed the #25 spot for child care provider/assistant value this year. Located in the town of Pryor, Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public university. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Technology Center System Office generally make around $35,262.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in child care provider/assistant:
Narrow Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools by State
More Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings
View All Child Care Provider/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
