2026 Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools
[Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/nursing-assistant-aide-and-patient-care-assistant-aide/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 594 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students.
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Finding the Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide School for You
Where you study nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools
For return on investment in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $11,750. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $8,604. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $40,728. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #5 place for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $41,756. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $40,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College landed the #7 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $32,031. Set against $14,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College placed #9 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $9,995. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #10 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $44,957. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #12 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $53,065. Set against $16,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #13 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $10,470. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $41,295. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Shore Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $16,250. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $45,349 early in their careers. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #15 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,346 in student loans. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $43,266. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
Butte College landed the #16 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $13,382. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $65,467. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College earned the #17 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $9,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,126 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #18 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Florida Gateway College placed #19 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $10,605. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $44,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College came in at #20 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #21 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $42,462. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #22 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $37,112. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Chipola College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $9,097. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
South Suburban College earned the #24 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $42,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $22,313 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 594 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
