2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College tops our 2026 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 60 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Angelina College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Angelina College earn around $54,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,828. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Angelina College

2

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. About 181 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent 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. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at El Centro College

3

Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio is a mid-sized private for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 263 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. Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio graduates carry a median of $16,642 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Galen College Of Nursing San Antonio

4

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Houston Community College awarded about 36 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Houston Community College

5

Gateway Community College Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

Gateway Community College Phoenix is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #5. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Gateway Community College Phoenix awarded about 393 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $60,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,898 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Gateway Community College Phoenix

6

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College came in at #6 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 80 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,205 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Pima Community College

7

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College earned the #7 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Alvin Community College awarded about 94 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Alvin Community College earn around $64,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,215 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Alvin Community College

8

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 284 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. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az

9

Clovis Community College
Clovis, NM

Clovis Community College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. About 45 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Clovis Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,995. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Clovis Community College

10

Dallas Nursing Institute
Richardson, TX

Dallas Nursing Institute landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Richardson. About 23 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Dallas Nursing Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Dallas Nursing Institute generally make around $59,039. Students borrow a median of $20,324 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Dallas Nursing Institute

11

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College came in at #11 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Phoenix College awarded about 40 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,053 in their early career. Phoenix College graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Phoenix College

12

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

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. Austin Community College District awarded about 38 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,378. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Austin Community College District

13

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College earned the #13 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sierra Vista. Cochise College awarded about 46 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,861 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Cochise College

14

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College came in at #14 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. About 57 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Howard College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Howard College earn a median of $44,111 early in their careers. Howard College graduates carry a median of $14,461 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Howard College

15

Southwest Texas Junior College
Uvalde, TX

Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. There were roughly 148 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Texas Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Southwest Texas Junior College earn around $26,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,377. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Southwest Texas Junior College

16

Eastern Arizona College
Thatcher, AZ

Eastern Arizona College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. There were roughly 50 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. Typical student debt for the program is $8,062. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Eastern Arizona College

17

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #17 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 64 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,028 in their early career. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $13,323 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Lone Star College System

18

Victoria College
Victoria, TX

Victoria College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Victoria. There were roughly 51 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Victoria College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,470 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Victoria College

19

Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus
Round Rock, TX

Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus placed #19 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Round Rock, Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus is a small private for-profit institution. About 65 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. Students borrow a median of $16,642 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus

20

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 56 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $51,679. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from San Jacinto Community College

21

Carrington College Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM

Carrington College Albuquerque earned the #21 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit institution. Carrington College Albuquerque awarded about 14 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Carrington College Albuquerque earn around $35,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,952 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Carrington College Albuquerque

22

Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College came in at #22 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. Galveston College awarded about 12 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Galveston College earn around $51,165 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Galveston College

23

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 443 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Mesa Community College

24

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College landed the #24 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Killeen. There were roughly 11 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Central Texas College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Central Texas College earn around $48,689 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,609 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Central Texas College

25

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. About 117 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Del Mar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $40,661 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Del Mar College