by our College Data Analytics Team
[Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/licensed-practical-vocational-nurse-training/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong licensed practical/vocational nurse training education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1050 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bates Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
A rank of #2 makes Hartnell College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $63,321. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Riverside City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Imperial Valley College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allan Hancock College earned it the #5 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Sacramento City College placed #6 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $5,939. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College landed the #8 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Del Mar College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public school located in the city of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $4,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Central Louisiana Technical Community College generally make around $18,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #11 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College landed the #12 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $17,223. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #13 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $20,173 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $20,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guam Community College placed #14 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, Guam Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,414, compared with $4,614 for out-of-state students. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $15,972.
Chaffey College earned the #15 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,952. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Cerro Coso Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the rural area of Ridgecrest, Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, with out-of-state students paying around $11,254. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,963 ten years after entry.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #17 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $19,771 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $54,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copper Mountain Community College came in at #18 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Joshua Tree. Students from in state pay about $1,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,590. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,281.
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #19 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $8,000. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $43,365 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lassen Community College landed the #20 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Lassen Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Susanville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $9,280 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,994.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas placed #21 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Students borrow a median of $4,217 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas generally make around $12,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas admits about 86% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla came in at #22 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,269 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $18,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #23 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $27,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
South Louisiana Community College earned the #24 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,210. Students borrow a median of $20,214 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,153. Set against $20,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama earned the #25 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama generally make around $25,972. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama admits about 36% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training:
Explore the best-value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools at other degree levels:
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 · 1050 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.