by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Bates Technical College, our #1 best value for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide in the United States. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverside City College earned it the #2 place for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $11,424 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 Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Allan Hancock College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,098, while out-of-state students pay about $4,363. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Central Louisiana Technical Community College earn a median of $18,707 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Chaffey College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $6,952. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Students borrow a median of $19,771 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 Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $54,629. That is a strong return on a $19,771 median debt.
South Louisiana Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,210. Students borrow a median of $20,214 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $40,153 early in their careers. Set against $20,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bossier Parish Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $20,593. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $43,661. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #10 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 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 Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #11 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value 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. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $24,682 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $54,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Louisiana Technical College landed the #12 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Northwest Louisiana Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Minden. In-state tuition and fees average $4,109. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $14,354. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Northwest Louisiana Technical College earn a median of $43,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College came in at #13 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Arkansas Tech University placed #14 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,983 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 $47,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Coconino Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $14,487. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $36,719. That is a strong return on a $14,487 median debt.
Platt College Los Angeles came in at #16 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the suburb of Alhambra, Platt College Los Angeles is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,847. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $14,290. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $26,326. That is a strong return on a $14,290 median debt.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.