2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Kentucky
[Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/licensed-practical-vocational-nurse-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong licensed practical/vocational nurse training education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students.
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2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in Kentucky. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,051 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Set against $7,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,500. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $27,051. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,523. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $30,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Somerset Community College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,096. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $28,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hopkinsville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #5 spot this year. Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hopkinsville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,898. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $37,077. Set against $10,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,098. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,462. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $8,812 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $26,424. Set against $8,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,379 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,379 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $31,020. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Henderson Community College earned the #10 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,387 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Henderson Community College earn a median of $31,819 early in their careers. Set against $10,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,858. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $31,865. That is a strong return on a $12,858 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $25,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College placed #13 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $26,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,932 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $32,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $36,053. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson Community And Technical College landed the #16 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,187 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $33,594. Set against $14,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Medquest College came in at #17 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Louisville, Medquest College is a small private for-profit university. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,443 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Medquest College earn a median of $30,209 early in their careers.
Sullivan University placed #18 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $25,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Sullivan University generally make around $40,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Medical Career And Technical College came in at #19 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Medical Career And Technical College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $7,719. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $20,156.
Ata College earned the #20 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Louisville, Ata College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,200. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $30,663 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beckfield College Florence came in at #21 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Beckfield College Florence is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,295. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $20,502 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $48,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Galen Health Institutes Pikeville came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Galen Health Institutes Pikeville is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. In-state tuition and fees average $16,364. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,480 ten years after entry.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
