2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 121 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the The Plains States 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
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the The Plains States Region. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $13,210 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,344. Set against $13,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area 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 Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,350. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Fort Scott Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $40,041. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Dodge City Community College, which ranked #5. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
Coffeyville Community College placed #6 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Students borrow a median of $12,838 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College earned the #7 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $12,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #8 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allen County Community College earned the #9 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Iola. In-state tuition and fees average $4,260, while out-of-state students pay about $4,860. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,032 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $25,323. Set against $10,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #10 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,312. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $34,099. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #11 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Independence Community College came in at #13 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #14 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,577. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,382. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Pratt Community College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Pratt Community College is a small public school located in the town of Pratt. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Pratt Community College generally make around $61,703. That is a strong return on a $10,327 median debt.
St Charles Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #17 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College came in at #18 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,726 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $42,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,726 median debt.
Garden City Community College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $15,625. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #21 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,405. That is a strong return on a $15,112 median debt.
Jefferson College placed #22 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #23 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,035 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. That is a strong return on a $19,035 median debt.
Colby Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $17,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $40,598. Set against $17,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $39,101. Set against $15,125 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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 121 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.
