by our College Data Analytics Team
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1309 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Bates Technical College, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in the United States. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Hartnell College, which ranked #2. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $63,321. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverside City College earned it the #3 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
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Sacramento City College landed the #6 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Gavilan College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $5,939. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Del Mar College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Central Louisiana Technical Community College earn a median of $18,707 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #11 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,223. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #13 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,173. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. Set against $20,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guam Community College placed #14 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Guam Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of Mangilao. Students from in state pay about $3,414 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,614 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Guam Community College earn a median of $15,972 early in their careers.
Chaffey College earned the #15 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,952. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Cerro Coso Community College placed #16 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Ridgecrest, Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,254. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,963 ten years after entry.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,771 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $54,629 early in their careers. Set against $19,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sowela Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,305. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $43,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copper Mountain Community College earned the #19 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,390, with out-of-state students paying around $13,590. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,281.
Lassen Community College landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Susanville, Lassen Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $9,280 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $35,994 ten years out.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $4,217 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $12,170. Set against $4,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas admits about 86% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla came in at #22 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,269 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $18,974. Set against $7,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla admits about 42% of applicants.
South Louisiana Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,214 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from South Louisiana Community College generally make around $40,153. Set against $20,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $27,188. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $25,972. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama admits about 36% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants rankings across degree levels:
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 · 1309 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.