2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
[Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/licensed-practical-vocational-nurse-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong licensed practical/vocational nurse training education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1050 schools to find the best return on investment for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students.
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Finding the Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training School for You
The licensed practical/vocational nurse training program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
Leading the list is Northeast Alabama Community College, our #1 best value for licensed practical/vocational nurse training in the United States. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $53,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #2 spot this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $63,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #4 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,041 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $10,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,728. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #8 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $41,756. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Bates Technical College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #10 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Butte College came in at #11 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,382. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $65,467. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #12 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $44,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #13 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Clovis Community College came in at #14 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,995. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #15 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $57,579. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $16,205 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $53,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,104. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $32,031. That is a strong return on a $14,104 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #18 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland came in at #19 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
West Shore Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $16,250. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,349. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College landed the #21 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $11,346 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $43,266. Set against $11,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,126. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $26,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #23 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #24 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College earned the #25 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 1050 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
