2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Southwest 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
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clovis Community College earned it the #3 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Alvin 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 suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,215 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $64,976. Set against $10,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,507 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $33,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,507 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,704. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $39,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,199 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $40,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,199 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,500. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $30,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #11 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $40,470. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Coastal Bend College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earned the #16 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,372, while out-of-state students pay about $3,268. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,391 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $43,668. Set against $10,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College earned the #18 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,284. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,378. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Set against $11,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #21 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,675 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $45,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pontotoc Technology Center placed #22 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,846.
Western Technology Center landed the #23 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public institution. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Western Technology Center earn a median of $40,264 early in their careers.
Midland College landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $33,385. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
Narrow Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
