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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Southwest Region

5 Colleges in the United States
9,309 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Degrees Awarded
$44,094 Avg Early-Career Salary

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their practical nursing & nursing assistants programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for practical nursing & nursing assistants students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Patient Care Technician (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
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Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall practical nursing & nursing assistants education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

1
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College tops our 2026 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 60 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Angelina College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Angelina College earn around $54,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,828. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Angelina College

2
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. About 181 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $41,295 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at El Centro College

3

Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio is a mid-sized private for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 263 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio earn a median of $46,830 early in their careers. Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio graduates carry a median of $16,642 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio

4

Houston Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Houston Community College awarded about 36 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Houston Community College

5

Gateway Community College Phoenix is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #5. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Gateway Community College Phoenix awarded about 393 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $60,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,898 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Gateway Community College Phoenix

6

Pima Community College came in at #6 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 80 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,205 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Pima Community College

7

Alvin Community College earned the #7 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Alvin Community College awarded about 94 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Alvin Community College earn around $64,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,215 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Alvin Community College

8

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 284 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az

9

Clovis Community College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. About 45 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Clovis Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,995. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Clovis Community College

10

Dallas Nursing Institute landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Richardson. About 23 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Dallas Nursing Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Dallas Nursing Institute generally make around $59,039. Students borrow a median of $20,324 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Dallas Nursing Institute

11
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College came in at #11 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Phoenix College awarded about 40 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,053 in their early career. Phoenix College graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Phoenix College

12

Austin Community College District landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Austin Community College District awarded about 38 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,378. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Austin Community College District

13
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College earned the #13 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sierra Vista. Cochise College awarded about 46 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,861 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Cochise College

14
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College came in at #14 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. About 57 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Howard College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Howard College earn a median of $44,111 early in their careers. Howard College graduates carry a median of $14,461 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Howard College

15

Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. There were roughly 148 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Texas Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Southwest Texas Junior College earn around $26,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,377. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Southwest Texas Junior College

16

Eastern Arizona College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. There were roughly 50 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. Typical student debt for the program is $8,062. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Eastern Arizona College

17
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #17 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 64 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,028 in their early career. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $13,323 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Lone Star College System

18
Victoria College crest
Victoria College
Victoria, TX

Victoria College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Victoria. There were roughly 51 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Victoria College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,470 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Victoria College

19

Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus placed #19 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Round Rock, Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus is a small private for-profit institution. About 65 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus earn around $46,830 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,642 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus

20

San Jacinto Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 56 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $51,679. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from San Jacinto Community College

21

Carrington College Albuquerque earned the #21 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit institution. Carrington College Albuquerque awarded about 14 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Carrington College Albuquerque earn around $35,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,952 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Carrington College Albuquerque

22
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College came in at #22 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. Galveston College awarded about 12 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Galveston College earn around $51,165 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Galveston College

23

Mesa Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 443 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Mesa Community College

24

Central Texas College landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Killeen. There were roughly 11 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Central Texas College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Central Texas College earn around $48,689 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,609 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Central Texas College

25
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. About 117 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Del Mar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,661 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Del Mar College

Rest of the Top 50 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s practical nursing & nursing assistants ranking:

26
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX
27
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
28
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
29
30
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
31
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX
32
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX
33
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
34
Navarro College crest
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX
35
36
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
37
38
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX
39
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
40
Schreiner University crest
Schreiner University
Kerrville, TX
41
42
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX
43
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
44
45
46
47
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX
48
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 153 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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