2026 Best Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Associate’s Degree Schools
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1050 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training in the United States
Below are the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Our analysis ranked Bates Technical College the best school in the country for a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. There were roughly 78 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Bates Technical College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from Bates Technical College
Pacific College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, ranking #2. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a small private for-profit university. About 59 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees were awarded at Pacific College in the most recent year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $59,213 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
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Allan Hancock College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Maria. About 32 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees were awarded at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year.
See the full licensed practical/vocational nurse training program report for Allan Hancock College
A rank of #4 makes Riverside City College one of the top schools for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. About 45 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree from Riverside City College earn around $37,102 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,424.
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A rank of #5 makes Central Louisiana Technical Community College one of the top schools for licensed practical/vocational nurse training. Set in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public institution. There were roughly 40 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree from Central Louisiana Technical Community College earn around $18,707 in the first couple years of their career. Central Louisiana Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Green River Community College earned the #6 position for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Green River Community College awarded about 67 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year.
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Dickinson State University placed #7 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. This small public university is located in the town of Dickinson. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 14 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Dickinson State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree from Dickinson State University earn around $51,049 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,807.
See the full licensed practical/vocational nurse training program report for Dickinson State University
Southwestern College Chula Vista came in at #8 for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. There were roughly 26 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $49,358 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,205.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from Southwestern College Chula Vista
Hartnell College placed #9 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Hartnell College awarded about 23 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree from Hartnell College earn around $63,321 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
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Carrington College California Sacramento came in at #10 for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. Carrington College California Sacramento awarded about 56 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $65,035 in their early career. Carrington College California Sacramento graduates carry a median of $32,832 in student loans.
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Sacramento City College placed #11 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $46,522 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180.
Read more about the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program at Sacramento City College
Sowela Technical Community College placed #12 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. There were roughly 33 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Sowela Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $43,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000.
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San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria came in at #13 for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 45 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $51,744 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,684 to complete this degree.
See the full licensed practical/vocational nurse training program report for San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria
Mission College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Mission College awarded about 38 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete this degree.
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Del Mar College earned the #15 position for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. There were roughly 107 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Del Mar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree from Del Mar College earn around $40,661 in the first couple years of their career. Del Mar College graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from Del Mar College
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #16 for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. There were roughly 67 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $51,744. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
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Imperial Valley College landed the #17 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 19 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Imperial Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Typical student debt for the program is $6,176.
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Rio Hondo College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. About 12 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees were awarded at Rio Hondo College in the most recent year. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,510.
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Long Beach City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 35 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
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Citrus College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. About 24 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year.
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San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage placed #21 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Mirage, San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit institution. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage awarded about 27 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage generally make around $51,744. Students borrow a median of $15,712 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earned the #22 position for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Visalia. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia awarded about 47 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Visalia generally make around $51,744. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
College Of The Desert earned the #23 position for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. There were roughly 11 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Desert in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $41,295 in their early career. College Of The Desert graduates carry a median of $7,826 in student loans.
See the full licensed practical/vocational nurse training program report for College Of The Desert
South Louisiana Community College landed the #24 spot for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lafayette. South Louisiana Community College awarded about 61 licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program make about $40,153 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,214 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in licensed practical/vocational nurse training from South Louisiana Community College
Gavilan College placed #25 among the best licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 27 licensed practical/vocational nurse training students who graduated with this degree at Gavilan College in the most recent data year. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,939.
Read more about the licensed practical/vocational nurse training program at Gavilan College
Rest of the Top 50 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools
These schools also placed among the best for licensed practical/vocational nurse training this year:
Other Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training rankings across degree levels:
View All Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1050 schools evaluated.
- 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.
