2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate’s Degree Schools
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Leading the list is Hartnell College, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in the United States. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,000. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $63,321. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Allan Hancock College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Butte College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College landed the #6 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Mission College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. 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 $18,707. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Merced College placed #9 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $47,114. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Bates Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Sacramento City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Guam Community College placed #12 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, Guam Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,414, with out-of-state students paying around $4,614. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Guam Community College earn a median of $15,972 early in their careers.
Chaffey College earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. 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 practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,952. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,000. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #16 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,173. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $20,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College landed the #18 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $43,365. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copper Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,390, while out-of-state students pay about $13,590. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,281.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,742. Students borrow a median of $7,269 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $18,974. Set against $7,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $4,217. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earn a median of $12,170 early in their careers. Set against $4,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earned the #22 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $18,330. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $25,967. That is a strong return on a $18,330 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College earned the #23 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $21,090. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama generally make around $25,972. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $27,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
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:
Other Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Degree Levels
Explore the best-value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools at other degree levels:
View All Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
