NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Childcare now costs more than college for many Tennessee families — and lawmakers are taking notice.
For many Tennessee parents, the cost of child care is no longer just another monthly bill — it’s a financial breaking point.
New data from the 2025 State of the Child in Tennessee report shows that childcare costs continue to rise across the state, often exceeding what families pay for housing, and in some cases even outpacing the cost of college tuition.
Child care vs. college tuition
According to the report, the average annual cost of center-based infant care in Tennessee is nearly $14,000. That figure is higher than in-state tuition at all of Tennessee’s public four-year universities, a comparison that has become a stark talking point for advocates and policymakers alike…