2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 128 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clovis Community College earned it the #3 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,390. Set against $9,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,928. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,215. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $64,976. That is a strong return on a $10,215 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,507 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $33,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,507 median debt.
Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,199 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,526. Set against $17,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $40,470. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #10 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Coastal Bend College placed #11 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
St Philips College landed the #12 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,391 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,391 median debt.
Central Arizona College landed the #13 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #15 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $11,378 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #16 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $17,675. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $45,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pontotoc Technology Center earned the #17 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
Midland College came in at #18 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technology Center placed #19 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Western Technology Center generally make around $40,264.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #20 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,093 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $44,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College came in at #23 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,609 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $48,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College landed the #25 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,250. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,037 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
