2026 Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools in the Southwest Region
[Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/nursing-assistant-aide-and-patient-care-assistant-aide/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees they offer, see the list below.
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 Clovis Community College this year. 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. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,215 to complete the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program here. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,215 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $6,507 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $33,171 early in their careers. Set against $6,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide will find it at Trinity Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $13,704. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $39,356. That is a strong return on a $13,704 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $30,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Coastal Bend College placed #7 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #8 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus landed the #9 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,372, while out-of-state students pay about $3,268. Students borrow a median of $11,110 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 Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #10 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #11 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,391 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 $43,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pontotoc Technology Center ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $10,284. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technology Center came in at #14 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Western Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Burns Flat. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Western Technology Center generally make around $40,264.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #15 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center earned the #16 position for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Gordon Cooper Technology Center generally make around $47,573.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Technology Center placed #18 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.
Tarrant County College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $16,093 in student loans. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,093 median debt.
Yavapai College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 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 Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #21 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $14,250. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center landed the #22 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Located in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,012 ten years after entry.
Paris Junior College landed the #23 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide value this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $8,846. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College placed #24 among the best values for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates is $7,861. Early-career nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide graduates make about $40,712. Set against $7,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center came in at #25 for value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $17,468 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $41,106. 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
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide:
Narrow Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools by State
More Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Rankings
View All Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Rankings >
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 · 83 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.
