Childcare costs in Arizona have reached a point where they now rival — and in many cases exceed — the cost of college. According to data from Economic Policy Institute and Arizona Department of Economic Security, the average annual cost of full-time daycare for an infant in Arizona can range from $12,000 to $15,000+ per year, depending on the provider. By comparison, in-state tuition at public universities like University of Arizona or Arizona State University is often in a similar range — and in some cases, even lower than what families are paying for childcare. That means for many Arizona families, childcare is one of their largest monthly expenses — sometimes higher than rent, a mortgage, or college tuition. And unlike college, childcare isn’t optional for working parents. For many households, it forces difficult decisions — whether it’s one parent leaving the workforce, cutting back on hours, or stretching finances just to cover care. It’s not just a rising cost — it’s changi...