[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1018 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
Finding the Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School for You
The practical nursing & nursing assistants program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in practical nursing & nursing assistants, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,305. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,118. Set against $12,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hartnell College earned it the #2 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $63,321. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $8,950 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,855. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $41,756. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $41,295. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $7,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $40,728 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #8 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Shore Community College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
College Of The Mainland placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,928. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Imperial Valley College came in at #11 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Indian River State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,492. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #14 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $36,525. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,490. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $63,335 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #17 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #19 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $37,112. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
West Shore Community College landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $16,250. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from West Shore Community College generally make around $45,349. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #21 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,313 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,533. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,205. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Reid State Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Evergreen, Reid State Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,454, while out-of-state students pay about $9,324. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,319 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,026. That is a strong return on a $17,319 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #24 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,346. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $43,266. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
Chipola College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,097. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s practical nursing & nursing assistants value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1018 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,018 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).
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
