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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 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.
Leading the list is South Central College, our #1 best value for practical nursing & nursing assistants in Minnesota. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,139. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
Riverland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $22,356. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $44,726. Set against $22,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $16,466 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $48,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $23,836 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $17,029. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $41,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $23,755. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $44,921. That is a strong return on a $23,755 median debt.
Century College earned the #8 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $21,332. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #9 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $20,160 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $52,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Technical College earned the #10 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,254. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $31,053. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northwest Technical College generally make around $41,497. Set against $31,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $44,393. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $39,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,162. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #15 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,773 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,773 median debt.
Dakota County Technical College earned the #16 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $14,010 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $48,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #17 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,671. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $38,862. Set against $13,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #18 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #19 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $35,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,289. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $44,017. That is a strong return on a $19,131 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,228 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $42,200. Set against $20,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College landed the #22 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $11,969. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $47,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #23 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,432. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $23,302 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $43,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Technical College earned the #24 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $42,648. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Students borrow a median of $21,274 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $45,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.