by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in practical nursing & nursing assistants, no school beat Rich Mountain Community College this year. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $36,179 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #2. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $62,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarka College earned it the #3 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,218 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $36,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Black River Technical College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,950 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $30,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,950 median debt.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $45,190. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. That is a strong return on a $10,521 median debt.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $24,580. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
East Arkansas Community College placed #8 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Mid South Community College came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $39,979. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ouachitas earned the #12 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #13 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Students borrow a median of $9,113 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #14 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Students borrow a median of $13,758 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton generally make around $47,729. That is a strong return on a $13,758 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home earned the #16 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $37,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #17 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. In-state tuition and fees average $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
North Arkansas College placed #18 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,322. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $38,783. Set against $10,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #19 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,333. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #20 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $15,968 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,546. Set against $15,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College earned the #21 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Students borrow a median of $13,898 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $42,364 early in their careers. Set against $13,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #22 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $23,983. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $47,902 early in their careers. Set against $23,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #23 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Pulaski Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of North Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $15,043. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $32,554. That is a strong return on a $15,043 median debt.
Northwest Technical Institute came in at #25 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Springdale, Northwest Technical Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Northwest Technical Institute earn a median of $47,715 early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.