[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.
College Factual analyzed 321 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #1 spot for value among practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $53,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $37,112. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #4 spot this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #6 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $22,313. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,533 early in their careers. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #9 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, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,346 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $43,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
Reid State Technical College placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Evergreen, Reid State Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,324. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,319. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Reid State Technical College earn a median of $44,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #11 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,050. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $11,050 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $40,106. That is a strong return on a $10,472 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $49,931. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College earned the #15 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,788 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $41,032. Set against $10,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #16 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #17 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,000. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,462. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hazard Community And Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $7,051 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $32,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,875. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $63,335. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $5,500. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Robeson Community College came in at #21 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,123. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College earned the #22 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $36,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Cleveland Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #24 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
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:
This list is compiled 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 · 321 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 321 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
