2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Texas
[Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/licensed-practical-vocational-nurse-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools.
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2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
For return on investment in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, no school beat El Centro College this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #3 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. 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. Set against $10,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $33,171. Set against $6,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $17,199 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $40,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,199 median debt.
Victoria College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $40,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, 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. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,609. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #10 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,391 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $43,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College placed #11 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. 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.
Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #12 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. 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, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Laredo Community College came in at #13 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $44,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. 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.
Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. 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. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,378 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Set against $11,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $16,093. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $16,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College landed the #17 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,609 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $48,689 early in their careers. Set against $9,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College came in at #18 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #19 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,102 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $46,052 early in their careers. Set against $10,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ranger College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,066. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,749. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $35,756. That is a strong return on a $12,749 median debt.
Vernon College earned the #21 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,147 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $47,677. Set against $9,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $14,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $36,592. Set against $14,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College earned the #23 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $12,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $51,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #24 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training:
More Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 67 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.
