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2027 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Southwest Region

127 Colleges in the United States
10,679 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Degrees Awarded
$43,961 Avg Early-Career Salary

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their practical nursing & nursing assistants programs.

College Factual analyzed 127 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

1

Eastern Arizona College tops our 2027 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. About 48 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Eastern Arizona College graduates carry a median of $8,062 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Eastern Arizona College

2

Galen Health Institutes Dallas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Richardson, Galen Health Institutes Dallas is a small private for-profit institution. About 81 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Galen Health Institutes Dallas in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Galen Health Institutes Dallas earn a median of $72,174 early in their careers. Galen Health Institutes Dallas graduates carry a median of $40,317 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Galen Health Institutes Dallas

3
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at El Centro College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 206 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $41,295 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from El Centro College

4

Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Alvin. About 101 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Alvin Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $64,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,215 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Alvin Community College

5
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This large public university is located in the city of Odessa. There were roughly 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Odessa College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $47,856 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Odessa College

6

Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 250 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio earn a median of $46,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,642. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio

7

Houston Community College came in at #7 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. There were roughly 90 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Houston Community College earn around $40,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,223. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Houston Community College

8

Clovis Community College came in at #8 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 83 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Clovis Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Clovis Community College earn around $44,390 in the first couple years of their career. Clovis Community College graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Clovis Community College

9

Paris Junior College came in at #9 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 58 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Paris Junior College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Paris Junior College

10

Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #10 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 339 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $60,620 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,898 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Gateway Community College Phoenix

11
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College placed #11 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. About 70 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Howard College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $44,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,461. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Howard College

12

Austin Community College District landed the #12 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 56 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $50,186. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $11,378 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Austin Community College District

13
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College earned the #13 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. There were roughly 91 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Cochise College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,861. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Cochise College

14

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #14 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 108 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Paradise Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Paradise Valley Community College

15

Pima Community College came in at #15 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. There were roughly 93 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Pima Community College earn around $47,205 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Pima Community College

16

Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #16 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 234 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,483 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Glendale Community College Glendale Az

17

Mohave Community College came in at #17 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 62 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Mohave Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Mohave Community College earn around $54,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Mohave Community College

18

Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus came in at #18 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Round Rock, Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus is a small private for-profit university. About 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus earn around $46,830 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,642. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus

19
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX

Panola College came in at #19 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. About 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Panola College in the most recent year. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Panola College

20
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 34 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Galveston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,165 in their early career. Galveston College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Galveston College

21

Galen Health Institutes Houston landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. Galen Health Institutes Houston awarded about 117 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Galen Health Institutes Houston earn around $46,830 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,642. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Galen Health Institutes Houston

22
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX

Cisco College earned the #22 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public institution. Cisco College awarded about 63 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $17,820 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,875. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Cisco College

23
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland placed #23 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Texas City. College Of The Mainland awarded about 22 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,788 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for College Of The Mainland

24

San Jacinto Community College landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 78 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,679 in their early career. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for San Jacinto Community College

25
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Del Mar College awarded about 98 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Del Mar College earn around $40,661 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Del Mar 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
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
28
Victoria College crest
Victoria College
Victoria, TX
29
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
30
31
32
33
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
34
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
35
36
37
Navarro College crest
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX
38
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX
39
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX
40
41
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX
42
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
43
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
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46
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
47
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX
48
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX
49
50
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 127 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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