2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
Hartnell College tops our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in the Far Western Region. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,000. 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. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #3 spot this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,382 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $65,467. 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 Bates Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #5. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $16,205. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $53,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #6 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College came in at #7 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $48,210. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.
Riverside City College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #10 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Bellingham Technical College placed #11 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Renton Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Citrus College came in at #14 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Sacramento City College earned the #15 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #16 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College landed the #18 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College earned the #19 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $39,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #20 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Medanos College landed the #21 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Los Medanos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Los Medanos College generally make around $32,581. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Kauai Community College placed #22 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $8,388 for out-of-state students. 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 Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College landed the #23 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,056. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,860. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
Bakersfield College placed #24 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,419. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Olympic College came in at #25 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,333 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $48,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
Narrow Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
