2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Texas
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 76 schools to find the best return on investment for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Texas
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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $64,976. That is a strong return on a $10,215 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,507. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $33,171. Set against $6,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Trinity Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,199 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,526. Set against $17,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,000. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,470. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Del Mar College landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. 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.
El Paso Community College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $8,542. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #11 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. 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.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. 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.
Laredo Community College placed #14 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,745. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,378 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $50,186. Set against $11,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,000. 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.
Tarrant County College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,093 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $16,093 median debt.
Central Texas College earned the #18 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,609. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $48,689. That is a strong return on a $9,609 median debt.
Amarillo College landed the #19 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,037. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,102 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $46,052. That is a strong return on a $10,102 median debt.
Ranger College placed #21 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $9,066. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $12,749. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Ranger College earn a median of $35,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vernon College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,147. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $47,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College landed the #23 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,237 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $51,385. That is a strong return on a $12,237 median debt.
Mclennan Community College earned the #24 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,786 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $36,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,786 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $19,223. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
More Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 76 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.
