2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the New England Region
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the New England 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 Northern Essex Community College, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in the New England Region. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,452. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $50,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,119. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $55,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $20,173 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Bay Community College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,553. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Quinsigamond Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $19,771. 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.
Greenfield Community College landed the #6 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,123 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $56,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,435. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $62,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,435 median debt.
Northern Maine Community College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $48,503. That is a strong return on a $16,013 median debt.
Quincy College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $15,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,952. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $21,688. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions generally make around $64,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions admits about 71% of applicants.
Southeastern Technical Institute placed #12 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Southeastern Technical Institute is a small public school located in the suburb of South Easton. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,499 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $62,482. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Charles H Mccann Technical School earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of North Adams, Charles H Mccann Technical School is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Charles H Mccann Technical School earn a median of $54,802 early in their careers.
Vermont Technical College placed #14 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Students borrow a median of $14,583 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $51,608 early in their careers. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
River Valley Community College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the rural area of Claremont, River Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,190 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $25,669 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $50,859. That is a strong return on a $25,669 median debt.
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford earned the #16 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,856. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford generally make around $55,837. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing landed the #17 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing is a small public school located in the suburb of Billerica. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,397 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $72,230.
Diman Regional Technical Institute landed the #18 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Diman Regional Technical Institute is a small public institution. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,182. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $55,341. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford landed the #19 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,870. Students borrow a median of $20,815 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford generally make around $53,457. Set against $20,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greater Lowell Technical School placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Greater Lowell Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Tyngsboro. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $8,859. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Greater Lowell Technical School generally make around $67,281. Greater Lowell Technical School admits about 75% of applicants.
American Institute West Hartford placed #21 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. American Institute West Hartford is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $15,982. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $28,918. Set against $15,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School came in at #22 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Blue Hills Regional Technical School is a small public institution. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $54,098.
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School came in at #23 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Bourne, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School is a small public institution. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School earned the #24 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School is a small public university. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School generally make around $53,693.
Mildred Elley Pittsfield Campus came in at #25 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Pittsfield, Mildred Elley Pittsfield Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,052. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $24,459 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $55,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 33 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 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 · 40 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.
