The cost of full-time day care or preschool is most expensive in Massachusetts — $12,781 annually, about 20% more than the average in-state college tuition of $10,702.
The largest discrepancy is in Florida, where child care is 73% more expensivethan college.
"High-quality child care is out of reach for many American families — not just those with low incomes," the EPI reports. "Child care costs are one of the most significant expenses in a family’s budget, largely because child care and early education is a labor-intensive industry, requiring a low student-to-teacher ratio."
Of course, in-state college tuition is usually the cheapest available option for college — keep in mind that out-of-state tuition and private schools could be much more expensive than child care. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-16 school year was $32,405 at private colleges in the US, while public universities cost an average of $23,893 for out-of-state students.
Below, find the 10 US states with the biggest discrepancy between day care and in-state college costs, or visit the Wall Street Journal for the full list of 23 and to see where your state falls:
Arches National Park in Utah.
Andrew S./Shutterstock
10. Utah
Annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old: $6,612
Annual in-state college tuition: $5,656
Child care as a share of tuition: 116.9%
White Sands, New Mexico.
Shutterstock
9. New Mexico
Annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old: $7,098
Kathleen is a correspondent at Business Insider, covering investing and the path to financial freedom. She's been writing about personal finance for BI and other publications, including CNBC, since 2015.Her coverage includes the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, real estate investing, and side hustles. She also occasionally covers small businesses and enjoys writing personal narratives about her own experiences navigating the world of money.Elkins graduated from Williams College in 2014 and resides in Los Angeles. Outside work, she trains for marathons and triathlons in the Santa Monica Mountains.Follow her on LinkedIn.Popular articles:
