2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the New England Region

[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the New England Region
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
For return on investment in practical nursing & nursing assistants, no school beat Northern Essex Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,452 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $50,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,173 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,173 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Greenfield Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $56,658. Set against $12,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Maine Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northern Maine Community College generally make around $48,503. That is a strong return on a $16,013 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,435. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $62,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,435 median debt.
North Shore Community College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $55,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #8 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,771 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $54,629. Set against $19,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Technical Institute came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of South Easton, Southeastern Technical Institute is a small public institution. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Southeastern Technical Institute generally make around $62,482. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Berkshire Community College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,905 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Berkshire Community College generally make around $49,764. Set against $14,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School placed #11 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Bourne, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School is a small public university. Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School admits about 71% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $51,608. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
River Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Claremont, River Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,940, while out-of-state students pay about $15,190. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $25,669 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of River Valley Community College earn a median of $50,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School is a small public university. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,693.
Greater Lowell Technical School ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Tyngsboro, Greater Lowell Technical School is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,859 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Greater Lowell Technical School earn a median of $67,281 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions came in at #16 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,952. Students borrow a median of $21,688 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions generally make around $64,142. Set against $21,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Charles H Mccann Technical School came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of North Adams, Charles H Mccann Technical School is a small public institution. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $54,802.
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford landed the #18 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. Students from in state pay about $15,856 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $22,444. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford generally make around $55,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diman Regional Technical Institute came in at #19 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Diman Regional Technical Institute is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,182 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $55,341. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,870. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,815. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,457. That is a strong return on a $20,815 median debt.
American Institute West Hartford landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, American Institute West Hartford is a small private for-profit university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of American Institute West Hartford earn a median of $28,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lincoln. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,644. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln generally make around $54,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New England Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of New England Institute Of Technology earn a median of $51,055 early in their careers. Set against $24,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $52,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing is a small public school located in the suburb of Billerica. Students borrow a median of $9,397 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $72,230.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.