2026 Best Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Child Care Provider/Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools to find the best for child care provider/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Child Care Provider/Assistant in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the child care provider/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Child Care Provider/Assistant
Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 school for child care provider/assistant. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 68 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Harper College
Students looking for a strong child care provider/assistant program will find one at College Of Lake County, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 152 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at College Of Lake County
Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child care provider/assistant, ranking #3. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. About 31 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $44,279 in the first couple years of their career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans.
See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Madison Area Technical College
A rank of #4 makes Chippewa Valley Technical College one of the top schools for child care provider/assistant. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 20 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $45,531 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Chippewa Valley Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 38 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $20,863. Students borrow a median of $12,457 to complete this degree.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #6 for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. There were roughly 57 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,292. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College awarded about 107 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $34,294. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
See the full child care provider/assistant program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Oakton Community College placed #8 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Des Plaines. There were roughly 50 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Oakton Community College
Northcentral Technical College landed the #9 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Northcentral Technical College awarded about 26 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $41,696 in their early career. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans.
See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Northcentral Technical College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #10 for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. About 113 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #11 position for child care provider/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 74 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $41,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree.
See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Lewis And Clark Community College
Waubonsee Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 38 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans.
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Illinois Valley Community College landed the #13 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 71 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete this degree.
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Moraine Valley Community College placed #14 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 90 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Moraine Valley Community College
Heartland Community College placed #15 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Heartland Community College awarded about 46 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Heartland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans.
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Rock Valley College earned the #16 position for child care provider/assistant this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 36 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Rock Valley College earn around $41,080 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,236.
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Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the town of Olney. About 10 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans.
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Columbus State Community College placed #18 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. About 13 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Columbus State Community College
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #19 spot for child care provider/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 175 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Child Care Provider/assistant graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Southwestern Illinois College
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 41 child care provider/assistant degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $38,325 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Sauk Valley Community College earned the #21 position for child care provider/assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dixon. Sauk Valley Community College awarded about 16 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Sauk Valley Community College earn around $48,855 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child care provider/assistant program at Sauk Valley Community College
Kaskaskia College placed #22 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Kaskaskia College awarded about 79 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Kaskaskia College earn around $45,658 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Kaskaskia College
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lincoln Land Community College awarded about 32 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child care provider/assistant degree from Lincoln Land Community College earn around $43,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,272.
More information about a degree in child care provider/assistant from Lincoln Land Community College
Mott Community College placed #24 among the best child care provider/assistant schools. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Mott Community College awarded about 18 child care provider/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child care provider/assistant program make about $37,989 in their early career. Mott Community College graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans.
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Highland Community College Freeport earned the #25 position for child care provider/assistant this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. There were roughly 30 child care provider/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Highland Community College Freeport in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child care provider/assistant degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Typical student debt for the program is $13,783.
See the full child care provider/assistant program report for Highland Community College Freeport
Rest of the Top 38 Child Care Provider/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child care provider/assistant education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 61 schools evaluated.
- 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.
