2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 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 the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area tops our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,041 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $10,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $13,210 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $45,344 early in their careers. Set against $13,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Students borrow a median of $11,350 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Dodge City Community College, which ranked #4. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Coffeyville Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,838. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $45,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Students borrow a median of $12,765 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $12,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #7 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Central Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,277. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College earned the #9 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,887. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #10 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $11,577. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,382. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
St Charles Community College came in at #11 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #12 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College placed #13 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Students borrow a median of $19,726 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. Set against $19,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College landed the #14 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,338. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $35,476. Set against $14,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $15,625. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $15,112. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,112 median debt.
Jefferson College came in at #17 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #18 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $19,035. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $19,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $39,101. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College earned the #20 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,598. Set against $17,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College earned the #21 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $16,412 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Set against $16,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College placed #22 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,150. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $44,672 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,150 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #23 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Labette Community College placed #24 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $12,288 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $46,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area placed #25 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $15,985. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $43,044 early in their careers. Set against $15,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
Narrow Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
