by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong licensed practical/vocational nurse training education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 98 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.
Dodge City Community College earned the #1 spot for value among licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #4 place for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,210. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,344. Set against $13,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $12,838 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $45,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #6 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $10,041. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $10,041 median debt.
Garden City Community College earned the #7 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,338. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $14,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Williston State College landed the #9 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Students borrow a median of $19,726 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College came in at #10 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $14,596. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $39,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College landed the #11 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,765 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $62,413. Set against $12,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Labette Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,064, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,288. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $46,710. Set against $12,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College came in at #13 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Colby Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $17,504. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $17,504 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #15 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,382. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $13,664. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #17 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $44,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $17,283 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $43,321. That is a strong return on a $17,283 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #19 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College placed #20 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Northeast Community College came in at #21 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $16,412. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,412 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #22 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Students borrow a median of $11,350 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $37,259 early in their careers. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #23 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $14,499 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $29,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $22,356 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $44,726. Set against $22,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #25 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $20,657 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $38,356 early in their careers. Set against $20,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.