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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 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.
Rich Mountain Community College earned the #1 spot for value among licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in Arkansas. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $36,179.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $62,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarka College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $11,218. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $36,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $12,950 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $30,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,950 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,190. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $4,380. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Arkansas Community College came in at #7 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College earned the #8 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $24,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas placed #10 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $9,113. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,758. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $47,729. That is a strong return on a $13,758 median debt. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #13 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $34,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #14 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $37,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #15 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
North Arkansas College placed #16 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,322 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $38,783. That is a strong return on a $10,322 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #17 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $20,333. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Beebe came in at #18 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,968 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $44,546 early in their careers. Set against $15,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $13,898 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $42,364. Set against $13,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University placed #20 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,983 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $47,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #21 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Pulaski Technical College placed #22 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,043 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $32,554. That is a strong return on a $15,043 median debt.
Northwest Technical Institute earned the #23 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Springdale, Northwest Technical Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $47,715.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #24 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,496. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Southeast Arkansas College generally make around $18,605. That is a strong return on a $10,496 median debt.
Baptist Health College Little Rock came in at #25 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Baptist Health College Little Rock is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,143. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $22,750. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Baptist Health College Little Rock earn a median of $48,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.