2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Minnesota
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students.
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2026 Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools in Minnesota
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
Pine Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools in Minnesota. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $37,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
South Central College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. 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 Riverland Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $22,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $44,726. Set against $22,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training will find it at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $41,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, landing the #5 spot this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $16,466 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $48,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,466 median debt.
Dakota County Technical College placed #6 among the best values for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $14,010 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $48,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,010 median debt.
Ridgewater College earned the #7 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $23,755. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $44,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #8 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $23,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $39,897. Set against $23,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $39,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $44,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Technical College came in at #12 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $42,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #13 for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates is $18,600. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $35,623 early in their careers. Set against $18,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Technical College earned the #14 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,254 in tuition and fees. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $41,497. Set against $31,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training value this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,228 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $42,200. That is a strong return on a $20,228 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,131 to complete the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program here. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $44,017. That is a strong return on a $19,131 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $13,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $38,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $11,969 in student loans. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $47,190 early in their careers. Set against $11,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates carry a median of $21,274 in student loans. Early-career licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates make about $45,271. Set against $21,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
