2027 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools.
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2027 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
For return on investment in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, no school beat Hartnell College this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,176. 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 Del Mar College earned it the #3 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allan Hancock College earned it the #4 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Butte College, which ranked #5. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. 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. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Mission College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,098, 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. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #9 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $47,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College earned the #10 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Sacramento City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Guam Community College earned the #12 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the suburb of Mangilao, Guam Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,414, while out-of-state students pay about $4,614. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Guam Community College generally make around $15,972.
Chaffey College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College landed the #14 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $20,173. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. That is a strong return on a $20,173 median debt.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #16 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College landed the #17 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College earned the #18 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $43,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copper Mountain Community College earned the #19 position 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, compared with $13,590 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $33,281 ten years out.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Students borrow a median of $7,269 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earn a median of $18,974 early in their careers. Set against $7,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla admits about 42% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas landed the #21 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $4,217. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $12,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,330 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $25,967. That is a strong return on a $18,330 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro admits about 70% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guayama. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $5,500. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $25,972. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $21,090. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earned the #25 position 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. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. 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. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s licensed practical/vocational nurse training value ranking:
Other Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Degree Levels
Explore the best-value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools at other degree levels:
View All Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
