by our College Data Analytics Team
[Practical Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the early-career earnings of their practical nursing assistants graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose practical nursing assistants graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar the top school for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings in Iowa. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar typically earn about $60,676 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Marshalltown Community College one of the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Marshalltown Community College is a public school located in the town of Marshalltown. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College typically earn about $60,055 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College typically earn about $59,754 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in practical nursing assistants will find them at Southeastern Community College West Burlington, which ranked #4. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,401.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Iowa Community College one of the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school located in the town of Sheldon. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,400.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a public institution. After graduating, practical nursing assistants degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston typically earn about $50,238 annually.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools. Indian Hills Community College is a public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from Indian Hills Community College make a median of around $49,300 per year.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for practical nursing assistants. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public school located in the city of Davenport. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from Eastern Iowa Community College District make a median of around $48,776 per year.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #9 for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,894.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying practical nursing assistants schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students who complete the practical nursing assistants program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,470.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #11 spot for practical nursing assistants salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. Early-career practical nursing assistants graduates from Iowa Western Community College make a median of around $61,751 per year.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #12 position for practical nursing assistants graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Practical Nursing Assistants graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of about $53,424 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their practical nursing assistants graduates, 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.