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2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

46 Colleges in the United States
50,478 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Degrees Awarded
$45,509 Avg Early-Career Salary

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their practical nursing & nursing assistants programs.

College Factual analyzed 1309 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.

What’s on this page:

Choosing a Great Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School

Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

Where you study practical nursing & nursing assistants matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Bachelor's Degrees in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Master's Degrees in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Doctoral Degrees in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

We offer several rankings, including this Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall practical nursing & nursing assistants education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

1

Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health tops our 2026 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small public university. About 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $89,536. Typical student debt for the program is $19,224. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health

2

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 116 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Typical student debt for the program is $11,750. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Washtenaw Community College

3

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 83 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

4

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Neosho County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 236 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Neosho County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Neosho County Community College earn around $44,672 in the first couple years of their career. Neosho County Community College graduates carry a median of $13,150 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Neosho County Community College

5

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College awarded about 202 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $56,008 in their early career. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

6

Hutchinson Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Hutchinson Community College awarded about 281 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $45,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,210. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Hutchinson Community College

7

Gateway Technical College earned the #7 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kenosha. About 827 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $42,410 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Gateway Technical College

8

Barton County Community College earned the #8 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. About 146 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Barton County Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Barton County Community College

9

Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #9 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 249 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $48,862. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Kansas City Kansas Community College

10

Trinidad State Junior College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Trinidad. Trinidad State Junior College awarded about 77 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $53,086 in their early career. Trinidad State Junior College graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Trinidad State Junior College

11

North Central Kansas Technical College landed the #11 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public university. There were roughly 200 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at North Central Kansas Technical College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from North Central Kansas Technical College

12

Highland Community College Highland landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. About 199 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Highland Community College Highland in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Highland Community College Highland earn around $22,909 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Highland Community College Highland

13
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 205 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Oakton Community College

14
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University landed the #14 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. About 60% of students finish within six years. Ashland University awarded about 19 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Typical student debt for the program is $24,536. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Ashland University

15

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #15 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School awarded about 100 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $53,375 in their early career. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Seward County Community College And Area Technical School

16

Elgin Community College came in at #16 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. About 226 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Elgin Community College

17

Linn State Technical College earned the #17 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. There were roughly 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Linn State Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Linn State Technical College earn around $45,538 in the first couple years of their career. Linn State Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,346 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Linn State Technical College

18
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #18 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. There were roughly 3,601 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Ivy Tech Community College earn around $50,081 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,317. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Ivy Tech Community College

19

Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #19 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 296 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Minnesota West Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,009 early in their careers. Minnesota West Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Minnesota West Community And Technical College

20
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College earned the #20 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. There were roughly 131 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $65,467 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,382. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Butte College

21

Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. Manhattan Area Technical College awarded about 97 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $32,624 in their early career. Manhattan Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Manhattan Area Technical College

22

Kapiolani Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $48,210. Typical student debt for the program is $14,738. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Kapiolani Community College

23

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #23 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. About 78 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Metropolitan Community College Area earn around $45,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,041 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Metropolitan Community College Area

24

Pratt Community College earned the #24 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public institution. About 79 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Pratt Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Pratt Community College earn around $61,703 in the first couple years of their career. Pratt Community College graduates carry a median of $10,327 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Pratt Community College

25

Salina Area Technical College placed #25 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This small public university is located in the town of Salina. About 210 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Salina Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $38,440 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Salina Area Technical College

Rest of the Top 50 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

These schools also placed among the best for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
32
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
33
34
35
36
37
Pacific College crest
Pacific College
Costa Mesa, CA
38
39
40
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
41
42
43
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
44
45
46
47
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
48
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY
49
Nightingale College crest
Nightingale College
Salt Lake City, UT
50
Methodist College crest
Methodist College
Peoria, IL

Additional Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Award Winners

These schools also stood out for practical nursing & nursing assistants:

Rank School Location
#71 Carrington College California Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#131 Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CA
#183 Sowela Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA
#196 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
#267 Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA
#290 Southwestern College Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA
#337 South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for practical nursing & nursing assistants:

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Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants by Region

Explore the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 29,491
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 20,557
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other 430

View All Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Concentrations >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1309 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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