2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Texas
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.
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2027 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
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in Texas. 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. 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.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,470. 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.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Victoria College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange placed #6 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,199. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $40,526. Set against $17,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,102. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $46,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,102 median debt.
St Philips College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. Set against $10,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #11 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College earned the #12 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. 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.
Coastal Bend College earned the #13 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #14 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #15 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,093 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $16,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College came in at #16 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Amarillo College placed #17 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,250. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,985 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $48,326. Set against $9,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College came in at #20 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,461. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Howard College earn a median of $44,111 early in their careers. Set against $14,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #22 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,786. 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.
Austin Community College District came in at #23 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Laredo Community College placed #24 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $44,745. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. 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. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year:
More Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
