2027 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 104 schools to find the best return on investment for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in the Southwest 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
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in the Southwest Region. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $41,295. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community 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 town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,390. 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 Victoria College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,000. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes South Texas College one of the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,507. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $33,171 early in their careers. Set against $6,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College placed #6 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $17,199 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $40,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,704. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,356. That is a strong return on a $13,704 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #11 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,102 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $46,052. That is a strong return on a $10,102 median debt.
St Philips College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,391 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #14 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,093 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,158. Set against $16,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College landed the #15 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,609. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #16 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #17 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College earned the #18 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Amarillo College came in at #19 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,250. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $42,037. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College came in at #20 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #21 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $9,985 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $48,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,985 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $11,500. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public university. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $47,573 early in their careers.
Pontotoc Technology Center earned the #24 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,846.
Odessa College placed #25 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $8,500. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 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
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training:
Narrow Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools by State
More Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Rankings
View All Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
