{"id":14492,"date":"2023-08-31T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.netcredit.com\/blog\/?p=14492"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:51:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:51:56","slug":"cost-of-child-care-by-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.netcredit.com\/blog\/cost-of-child-care-by-state\/","title":{"rendered":"The U.S. States Where Childcare Costs More Than College Tuition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research shows<\/a> that quality early childcare offers a wide range of important benefits. A relationship with a \u201cconsistent, caring adult\u201d promotes \u201cbetter academic grades, healthier behaviors, more positive peer interactions and an increased ability to cope with stress,\u201d according to Prevent Child Abuse America<\/a>. But childcare costs are soaring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This presents a problem for parents, and it\u2019s one that rivals another big cost at the other end of a child\u2019s educational years: college. In fact, according to our\u00a0research, childcare actually costs more than college in 28 out of 50 states.<\/p>\n

To determine this, we analyzed the cost of childcare compared to in-state public college tuition around the country and factored in the affordability of each compared to local incomes. Here\u2019s what we found.<\/p>\n

What We Did<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Online lender NetCredit<\/a> researched the average annual fees paid for public and private college tuition and the average cost of childcare in each U.S. state. We calculated the difference in yearly fees paid for childcare and in-state college tuition. We then compared these costs to local average salaries to find the affordability of childcare and in-state college tuition in every state.<\/p>\n

Key Findings<\/strong><\/h2>\n