by our College Data Analytics Team
[Practical Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose practical nursing assistants graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Pearl River Community College, our #1 for practical nursing assistants graduate salaries in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,493.
Strong graduate earnings at Hinds Community College earned it the #2 place for practical nursing assistants. Hinds Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,566.
A rank of #3 makes Mississippi Delta Community College one of the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a public institution. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of about $42,855 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Holmes Community College one of the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Holmes Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Goodman. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Holmes Community College typically earn about $45,798 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Coahoma Community College earned it the #5 place for practical nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a public institution. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of about $41,032 a year early in their careers.
Northeast Mississippi Community College came in at #6 for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,749.
Itawamba Community College landed the #7 spot for practical nursing assistants salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,965.
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #8 for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public school located in the town of Senatobia. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of about $40,683 a year early in their careers.
Meridian Community College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,126.
East Mississippi Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,146.
Jones County Junior College landed the #11 spot for practical nursing assistants salaries this year. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Jones County Junior College typically earn about $32,891 annually.
Southwest Mississippi Community College came in at #12 for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of about $30,071 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 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.