by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 499 U.S. colleges awarded 49,489 degrees and certificates in Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 20% of graduates. College Factual ranks 413 schools in its 2027 Best Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,614 one year after completing, rising to $56,491 after four years.
A major in Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide involves the study of Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Routine Nursing-Related Services To Patients In Hospitals Or Long-Term Care Facilities, Under The Training And Supervision Of A Registered Nurse Or Licensed Practical Nurse.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide is a widely-pursued major, with 49,489 degrees awarded annually. 499 colleges award nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees, an average of 99 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,537.
By level, the 49,489 awards include 1,079 certificates, 39 associate degrees and 10,098 master’s degrees.
Women earned 88% of nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees and certificates in the latest year (43,622 of 49,489). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (21,906) and Hispanic or Latino (12,649), and international students earned 498.
College Factual ranks 413 schools in its 2027 Best Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools ranking, including 12 for associate degrees. It also ranks nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools within 3 states. In all, 499 colleges offer nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide credential is the master’s degree: 10,098 of the 49,489 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide call most for Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,079 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 39 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,098 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, at 38.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 24.0% |
| Some college courses | 12.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.1% |
| First professional degree | 3.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide, with an average median salary of $27,058. Typical job titles include Ward Attendant, Certified Nursing Attendant (CNA), Nurse’s Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
The occupation related to nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide with the most projected jobs is Nursing Assistants, at 87,005.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | 87,005 | -4.1% |
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide graduates earn a median $45,614 one year after completing their program, $56,491 after four years and $48,140 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,614 |
| 4 years | $56,491 |
| 5 years | $48,140 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, with a median salary of $27,058.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $27,058 |
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide has 2 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 60,643 degrees a year; the largest are Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training (55,090) and Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other (5,553). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 55,090 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other | 5,553 |
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