2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 174 schools to find the best return on investment for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Leading the list is Hartnell College, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $63,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. 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. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Bates Technical College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butte College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $16,205. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,065. Set against $16,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College earned the #7 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College came in at #8 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Set against $14,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #10 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Allan Hancock College came in at #11 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Renton Technical College came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $18,582. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Pasadena City College landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Sacramento City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,180. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #18 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #19 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #20 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College placed #21 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peninsula College placed #23 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,730. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $51,243. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Medanos College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Los Medanos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $32,581. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for practical nursing & nursing assistants 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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
