by our College Data Analytics Team
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rich Mountain Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in Arkansas. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $36,179.
Mid South Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
A rank of #3 makes Ozarka College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,218 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $36,085. Set against $11,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #4 spot this year. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $7,944. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $24,580. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Arkansas Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Set against $10,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #6 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $7,018. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $62,501. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,550. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #8 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $34,302. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt.
Black River Technical College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,950. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $30,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Arkansas Community College placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $7,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas placed #12 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,374 ten years after entry.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #13 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,885, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $15,968 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,546. That is a strong return on a $15,968 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,113. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Set against $9,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $39,979. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #17 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,769. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #18 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Arkansas College earned the #19 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,322 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $38,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Arkansas College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $5,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,650. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,496. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $18,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Park Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,898 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,364. Set against $13,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Technical Institute landed the #22 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Springdale, Northwest Technical Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Northwest Technical Institute earn a median of $47,715 early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #23 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $47,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $23,983. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $47,902 early in their careers. Set against $23,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.