2027 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. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools to find the best for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students.
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
Leading the list is Eastern Arizona College, our #1 school for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 44 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent data year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,062.
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A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the top schools for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. About 189 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans.
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Alvin Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 80 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Alvin Community College in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,215.
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A rank of #4 makes Clovis Community College one of the top schools for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Clovis. Clovis Community College awarded about 53 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 Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete this degree.
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Paris Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 25 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Paris Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $38,811 in their early career. Paris Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans.
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Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #6 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 213 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $60,620 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,898.
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Cochise College landed the #7 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sierra Vista. There were roughly 79 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. Cochise College graduates carry a median of $7,861 in student loans.
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Paradise Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. Paradise Valley Community College awarded about 102 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 Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,204.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #9 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glendale. About 210 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
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Galveston College landed the #10 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. There were roughly 24 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Galveston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $51,165 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
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Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. About 345 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
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Yavapai College earned the #12 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Prescott. There were roughly 92 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Yavapai College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Yavapai College earn around $52,087 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,087.
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Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #13 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Uvalde. Southwest Texas Junior College awarded about 165 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 Southwest Texas Junior College earn around $26,691 in the first couple years of their career. Southwest Texas Junior College graduates carry a median of $9,377 in student loans.
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Trinity Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Athens. About 133 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Trinity Valley Community College in the most recent year. Nursing Assistant/aide And Patient Care Assistant/aide graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $39,356 early in their careers. Trinity Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $13,704 in student loans.
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St Philips College placed #15 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 34 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $43,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,391.
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South Texas College landed the #16 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This very large public university is located in the city of McAllen. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at South Texas College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide program make about $33,171 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,507 to complete this degree.
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San Juan College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. About 54 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. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete this degree.
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Coconino Community College placed #18 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Set in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 76 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at Coconino Community College in the most recent data 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. Coconino Community College graduates carry a median of $13,528 in student loans.
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Tarrant County College District landed the #19 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Tarrant County College District awarded about 26 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 Tarrant County College District earn around $45,158 in the first couple years of their career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $16,093 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide from Tarrant County College District
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #20 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus awarded about 25 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 Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete this degree.
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Connors State College landed the #21 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Warner. Connors State College awarded about 55 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 Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. Connors State College graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans.
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Scottsdale Community College earned the #22 position for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. About 22 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide degree from Scottsdale Community College earn around $48,039 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,084.
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Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus placed #23 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus awarded about 36 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 Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earn around $21,129 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans.
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University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus landed the #24 spot for nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Los Lunas. There were roughly 28 nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus in the most recent data 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. University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans.
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Central New Mexico Community College placed #25 among the best nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 138 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 Central New Mexico Community College earn around $30,137 in the first couple years of their career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing assistant/aide and patient care assistant/aide ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 63 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.