2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Neosho County Community College
Chanute, KS

Neosho County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Neosho County Community College awarded about 236 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $44,672 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,150 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Neosho County Community College

2

Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS

Hutchinson Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Hutchinson. Hutchinson Community College awarded about 281 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $45,344 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,210 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Hutchinson Community College

3

Barton County Community College
Great Bend, KS

Barton County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 146 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Barton County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $44,536 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,125. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Barton County Community College

4

Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, KS

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Kansas City Kansas Community College, which ranked #4. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 249 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $48,862. Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Kansas City Kansas Community College

5

North Central Kansas Technical College
Beloit, KS

A rank of #5 makes North Central Kansas Technical College one of the top schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. About 200 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at North Central Kansas Technical College in the most recent year. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at North Central Kansas Technical College

6

Highland Community College Highland
Highland, KS

Highland Community College Highland earned the #6 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. About 199 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Highland Community College Highland in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Highland Community College Highland

7

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Liberal, KS

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #7 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School awarded about 100 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,350. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School

8

Linn State Technical College
Linn, MO

Linn State Technical College landed the #8 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Linn State Technical College awarded about 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees 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. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Linn State Technical College

9

Minnesota West Community And Technical College
Granite Falls, MN

Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot 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. There were roughly 296 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota West Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $43,009 in their early career. Minnesota West Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Minnesota West Community And Technical College

10

Manhattan Area Technical College
Manhattan, KS

Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public university. There were roughly 97 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Manhattan Area Technical College earn around $32,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,998. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Manhattan Area Technical College

11

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #11 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. 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. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $45,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,041 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Metropolitan Community College Area

12

Pratt Community College
Pratt, KS

Pratt Community College earned the #12 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. Pratt Community College awarded about 79 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Pratt Community College generally make around $61,703. Typical student debt for the program is $10,327. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Pratt Community College

13

Salina Area Technical College
Salina, KS

Salina Area Technical College placed #13 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This small public university is located in the town of Salina. There were roughly 210 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Salina Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Salina Area Technical College

14

Flint Hills Technical College
Emporia, KS

Flint Hills Technical College placed #14 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Flint Hills Technical College awarded about 92 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $34,930. Flint Hills Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Flint Hills Technical College

15

Cloud County Community College
Concordia, KS

Cloud County Community College placed #15 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Concordia. Cloud County Community College awarded about 233 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $53,004 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,839. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Cloud County Community College

16

Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS

Garden City Community College came in at #16 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Garden City Community College awarded about 207 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,338 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Garden City Community College

17

Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Community College earned the #17 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Dodge City Community College awarded about 128 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Dodge City Community College

18

Washburn Institute Of Technology
Topeka, KS

Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. There were roughly 195 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Washburn Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $43,321. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Washburn Institute Of Technology

19

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College came in at #19 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Fort Dodge. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 230 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $39,624 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Iowa Central Community College

20

Southeastern Community College West Burlington
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. There were roughly 279 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn around $45,760 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,920. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Southeastern Community College West Burlington

21

Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 14 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Dickinson State University in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,807. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Dickinson State University

22

Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College placed #22 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. Johnson County Community College awarded about 525 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $36,404 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,406 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Johnson County Community College

23

Lake Region State College
Devils Lake, ND

Lake Region State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Lake Region State College awarded about 38 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Lake Region State College earn around $48,331 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Lake Region State College

24

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #24 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. About 196 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Century College

25

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College came in at #25 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Central Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $43,218 in their early career. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Central Community College