Costs of Child Care Now Outpace College Tuition in 38 States, Analysis Finds
The cost of child care now exceeds the price of college tuition in 38 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new analysis conducted by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).
A Growing Crisis
The left-leaning think tank, based in Washington, D.C., used 2023 federal and nonprofit data to compare the monthly cost of infant child care to that of tuition at public colleges. The tally increased five states since the pandemic began. EPI’s last analysis relied on 2020 data, which showed child care costs outstripped college costs in 33 states and Washington, D.C.
A State-by-State Guide
EPI released a state-by-state guide on Wednesday showing the escalating cost of child care. Average costs range from $521 per month in Mississippi to as much as $1,893 per month in Washington, D.C., for households with one 4-year-old child, EPI found.
Child Care Costs Outpace Rent in 17 States and the District of Columbia
The analysis also found child care costs have exceeded rent prices in 17 states and the District of Columbia. EPI leaders said child care is unaffordable for working families across the country, but especially for low-wage workers, including those who provide child care.
A Call to Action
“This isn’t inevitable — it is a policy choice,” said Katherine deCourcy, EPI research assistant. “Federal and state policymakers can and should act to make child care more affordable, and ensure that child care workers can afford the same quality of care for their own children.”
New Mexico: A Case Study
The organization highlighted New Mexico as a case study on the growing challenge facing families. There, the average annual cost of infant care exceeds $14,000 — or nearly $1,200 a month, the group said. Care for a four-year-old costs nearly $10,000 per year — or over $800 a month. While experts often consider housing as a family’s single largest expense, EPI found New Mexico’s annual infant care costs outpace rent by over 10%. Child care is out of reach for about 90% of New Mexico residents, according to the federal government’s definition of affordability, which is no more than 7% of a family’s income.
Conclusion
The cost of child care is a growing crisis in the United States, with 38 states and the District of Columbia now exceeding the price of college tuition. The Economic Policy Institute’s analysis highlights the need for policymakers to take action to make child care more affordable for working families.
FAQs
* What states have child care costs exceeding college tuition?
+ 38 states and the District of Columbia
* What is the average cost of infant care in Mississippi?
+ $521 per month
* What is the average cost of infant care in Washington, D.C.?
+ $1,893 per month
* In what year did EPI’s last analysis show child care costs outstripping college costs in 33 states and Washington, D.C.?
+ 2020
* What percentage of New Mexico residents is child care out of reach for?
+ 90%
