2026 Best Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools in the Southwest Region
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide in the Southwest Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide
El Centro College tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. El Centro College awarded about 162 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes Gateway Community College Phoenix one of the top schools for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. Gateway Community College Phoenix awarded about 259 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $60,620. Students borrow a median of $12,898 to complete this degree.
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Alvin Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, landing the #3 spot this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Alvin Community College awarded about 75 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $64,976. Typical student debt for the program is $10,215.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, landing the #4 spot this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 263 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
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A rank of #5 makes Cochise College one of the top schools for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 35 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Cochise College in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,861 to complete this degree.
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Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #6 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 99 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Texas Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Southwest Texas Junior College earn around $26,691 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,377 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide from Southwest Texas Junior College
Eastern Arizona College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 37 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $40,304 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,062 to complete this degree.
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Mesa Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. About 411 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $54,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
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Yavapai College came in at #9 for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Prescott. About 94 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Yavapai College in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,087.
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St Philips College came in at #10 for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. There were roughly 17 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at St Philips College in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,391.
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San Juan College came in at #11 for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 110 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from San Juan College earn around $41,697 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,150.
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Tarrant County College District earned the #12 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 12 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Typical student debt for the program is $16,093.
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Trinity Valley Community College earned the #13 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 65 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Trinity Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $39,356 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,704.
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Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 164 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $30,137 in their early career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans.
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South Texas College earned the #15 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Texas College awarded about 43 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from South Texas College earn around $33,171 in the first couple years of their career. South Texas College graduates carry a median of $6,507 in student loans.
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Connors State College placed #16 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. Connors State College awarded about 58 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Connors State College earn around $47,964 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,071.
More information about a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide from Connors State College
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus awarded about 16 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,110.
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Coconino Community College came in at #18 for 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. About 65 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Coconino Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Coconino Community College earn around $36,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,528.
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Coastal Bend College came in at #19 for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. Coastal Bend College awarded about 20 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $14,609.
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Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus came in at #20 for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. About 26 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $21,129 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,110.
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Northeast Texas Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. There were roughly 21 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Texas Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Northeast Texas Community College earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. Northeast Texas Community College graduates carry a median of $15,945 in student loans.
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University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. About 20 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn around $35,132 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans.
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University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public institution. About 25 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete this degree.
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Arizona Western College placed #24 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. About 13 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Arizona Western College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $44,895 in their early career.
More information about a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide from Arizona Western College
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earned the #25 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. About 10 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Taos Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Taos Campus generally make around $35,132. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools
These schools also placed among the best for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 83 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.
