2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Kentucky
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 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 Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Hazard Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants in Kentucky. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $7,051 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $32,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $27,051. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,523 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $30,338. That is a strong return on a $12,523 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Somerset Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,096 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $28,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hopkinsville Community College earned it the #5 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $10,898 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $37,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $26,424. That is a strong return on a $8,812 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,379 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $33,956. That is a strong return on a $12,379 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $31,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henderson Community College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Henderson Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,387 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $31,819. Set against $10,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,858. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Maysville Community And Technical College earn a median of $31,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,858 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $25,545. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Madisonville Community College came in at #13 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $26,318 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College earned the #14 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,932. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $32,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College landed the #16 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,187. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $33,594. Set against $14,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Medquest College placed #17 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Medquest College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Louisville. Students borrow a median of $9,443 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Medquest College earn a median of $30,209 early in their careers.
Sullivan University placed #18 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $25,959 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $40,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Medical Career And Technical College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Richmond, Medical Career And Technical College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,719 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Medical Career And Technical College generally make around $20,156.
Ata College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the suburb of Louisville, Ata College is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $30,663. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Ata College generally make around $44,410. Set against $30,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beckfield College Florence came in at #21 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Beckfield College Florence is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,295. Students borrow a median of $20,502 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Beckfield College Florence generally make around $48,479. Set against $20,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Galen Health Institutes Pikeville placed #22 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Pikeville, Galen Health Institutes Pikeville is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,364 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,480.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
