by our College Data Analytics Team
[Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/licensed-practical-vocational-nurse-training/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rich Mountain Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in Arkansas. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $36,179.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarka College earned it the #2 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,218 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $36,085. Set against $11,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas Northeastern College earned it the #3 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $24,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #4. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $7,018. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $62,501. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Arkansas University Tech earned it the #5 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Black River Technical College landed the #6 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,950. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $30,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #7 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $4,550. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $45,190. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #8 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,324 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
East Arkansas Community College placed #9 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. East Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of Forrest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #10 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #11 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. In-state tuition and fees average $3,885, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #12 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,968 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $44,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,968 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #13 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Students borrow a median of $9,113 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $64,187. Set against $9,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport earned the #14 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,979. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #15 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $37,769. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #16 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
North Arkansas College came in at #17 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,322. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $38,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Arkansas College placed #18 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,650. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,496. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $18,605. Set against $10,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College landed the #19 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,898 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $42,364. That is a strong return on a $13,898 median debt.
Northwest Technical Institute placed #20 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Northwest Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Springdale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Northwest Technical Institute earn a median of $47,715 early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #21 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,758 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $23,983. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $47,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #23 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baptist Health College Little Rock placed #24 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Little Rock, Baptist Health College Little Rock is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,143 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $22,750. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Baptist Health College Little Rock earn a median of $48,332 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baptist Health College Little Rock admits about 96% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.