2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Arkansas
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their practical nursing & nursing assistants programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools to find the best for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall practical nursing & nursing assistants education in Arkansas.
Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Leading the list is Northwest Arkansas Community College, our #1 school for practical nursing & nursing assistants. This large public university is located in the city of Bentonville. Northwest Arkansas Community College awarded about 63 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Northwest Arkansas Community College graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans.
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College Of The Ouachitas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. About 207 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at College Of The Ouachitas in the most recent year.
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Black River Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. There were roughly 88 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Black River Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $30,491 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,950 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Black River Technical College
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Newport. There were roughly 218 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas State University Newport in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $39,979 in their early career. Arkansas State University Newport graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans.
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South Arkansas Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. South Arkansas Community College awarded about 44 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from South Arkansas Community College earn around $59,370 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree.
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Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #6 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 99 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas State University Beebe in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $44,546. Arkansas State University Beebe graduates carry a median of $15,968 in student loans.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Arkansas State University Beebe
Rich Mountain Community College landed the #7 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small public university is located in the town of Mena. There were roughly 34 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Rich Mountain Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Rich Mountain Community College earn around $36,179 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Rich Mountain Community College
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #8 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Camden. There were roughly 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Southern Arkansas University Tech in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Typical student debt for the program is $8,488.
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University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #9 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Morrilton. There were roughly 101 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,758 to complete this degree.
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East Arkansas Community College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. East Arkansas Community College awarded about 43 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from East Arkansas Community College earn around $42,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
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Arkansas Tech University landed the #11 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. About 44% of students finish within six years. Arkansas Tech University awarded about 173 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $47,902. Students borrow a median of $23,983 to complete this degree.
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North Arkansas College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 61 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at North Arkansas College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $38,783 in their early career. North Arkansas College graduates carry a median of $10,322 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #13 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. There were roughly 77 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas Community College Hope in the most recent data year.
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Arkansas Northeastern College placed #14 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. There were roughly 27 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Northeastern College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $24,580. Arkansas Northeastern College graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans.
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National Park Community College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Hot Springs. There were roughly 30 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at National Park Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,364. Students borrow a median of $13,898 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #16 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates 38% of students within six years. About 11 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $39,204 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This small public university is located in the town of Batesville. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville awarded about 33 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn around $64,187 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville graduates carry a median of $9,113 in student loans.
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Mid South Community College placed #18 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. About 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Mid South Community College in the most recent year.
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Ozarka College landed the #19 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Melbourne. About 148 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Ozarka College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $36,085. Ozarka College graduates carry a median of $11,218 in student loans.
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Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. There were roughly 29 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn around $62,501 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,018.
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Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #21 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. About 12 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn around $45,190 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #22 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small public university is located in the town of Mountain Home. Arkansas State University Mountain Home awarded about 70 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $37,769 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 101 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas At Monticello in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn around $41,278 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans.
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Southeast Arkansas College placed #24 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This small public university is located in the town of Pine Bluff. There were roughly 19 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Arkansas College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $18,605 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,496 to complete this degree.
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Northwest Technical Institute placed #25 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Northwest Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Springdale. There were roughly 27 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Northwest Technical Institute earn around $47,715 in the first couple years of their career.
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Rest of the Top 26 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education:
More Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.