2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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 46 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 Rocky Mountains Region
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
Our analysis ranked Snow College the best value for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,554. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pikes Peak Community College earned it the #3 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,964. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $41,598. That is a strong return on a $10,964 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Laramie County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Mountain College placed #6 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,450. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,006 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. That is a strong return on a $7,006 median debt.
Ogden Weber Technical College earned the #9 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Ogden Weber Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Ogden. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $24,690. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. 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 $64,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College came in at #11 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Students borrow a median of $16,365 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. That is a strong return on a $16,365 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,667. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. That is a strong return on a $17,667 median debt.
Bridgerland Technical College earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $28,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,963.
Casper College placed #15 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Eastern Idaho Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,750. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $34,787. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta Montrose Technical College earned the #17 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a small public institution. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Delta Montrose Technical College earn a median of $42,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt.
Community College Of Denver came in at #18 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $23,614. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Lamar Community College came in at #19 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,300. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #20 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #21 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
Otero Junior College placed #22 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $7,270. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $74,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Idaho College came in at #23 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $55,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pickens Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $5,140, with out-of-state students paying around $9,250. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pickens Technical College earn a median of $53,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
