2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Massachusetts
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Northern Essex Community College earned the #1 spot for value among practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,452 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $50,770. That is a strong return on a $11,452 median debt.
North Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Students borrow a median of $13,119 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $55,336. Set against $13,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,008. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Quinsigamond 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 city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $19,771. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $54,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenfield Community College landed the #6 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,123. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $56,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #7 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $14,435 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $62,720. Set against $14,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quincy College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Technical Institute came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Southeastern Technical Institute is a small public school located in the suburb of South Easton. Students borrow a median of $14,499 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Southeastern Technical Institute generally make around $62,482. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Charles H Mccann Technical School came in at #10 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.
Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Billerica, Shawsheen Valley School Of Practical Nursing is a small public institution. 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.
Diman Regional Technical Institute came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Diman Regional Technical Institute is a small public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,182 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Diman Regional Technical Institute earn a median of $55,341 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Greater Lowell Technical School landed the #13 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the suburb of Tyngsboro, Greater Lowell Technical School is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Greater Lowell Technical School generally make around $67,281. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Blue Hills Regional Technical School is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Blue Hills Regional Technical School earn a median of $54,098 early in their careers.
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School placed #15 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. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Mildred Elley Pittsfield Campus landed the #16 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Pittsfield, Mildred Elley Pittsfield Campus is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,052. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $24,459 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $55,424. That is a strong return on a $24,459 median debt.
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School earn a median of $53,693 early in their careers.
Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District came in at #18 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District is a small public school located in the rural area of Charlton. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District earn a median of $67,498 early in their careers. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Monty Tech placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Monty Tech is a small public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,711 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,902. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Assabet Valley Regional Technical School came in at #20 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Marlborough, Assabet Valley Regional Technical School is a small public university. Assabet Valley Regional Technical School admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
