by our College Data Analytics Team
[Practical Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their practical nursing assistants graduates.
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Below are the schools whose practical nursing assistants graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Chattahoochee Valley Community College, our #1 for practical nursing assistants graduate salaries in Alabama. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,335.
Bishop State Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in practical nursing assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a public institution. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of about $57,722 a year early in their careers.
Herzing University Birmingham produces some of the highest-paid graduates in practical nursing assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from Herzing University Birmingham make a median of around $67,146 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at J F Drake State Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing assistants. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a public institution. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from J F Drake State Community And Technical College make a median of around $55,022 per year.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a public institution. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from Northeast Alabama Community College make a median of around $53,855 per year.
Shelton State Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Shelton State Community College typically earn about $52,034 annually.
Bevill State Community College earned the #7 position for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,745.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #8 spot for practical nursing assistants salaries this year. Gadsden State Community College is a public school located in the city of Gadsden. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College typically earn about $50,080 annually.
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #9 for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a public institution. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from James H Faulkner State Community College make a median of around $47,139 per year.
Reid State Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Evergreen, Reid State Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Reid State Technical College typically earn about $44,296 annually.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,559.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #12 spot for practical nursing assistants salaries this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public school located in the city of Dothan. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan make a median of around $46,064 per year.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma earned the #13 position for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma typically earn about $41,533 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries practical nursing assistants graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.