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2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in Minnesota

1 Colleges in the United States
2,121 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Degrees Awarded
$44,088 Avg Early-Career Salary

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall practical nursing & nursing assistants education in Minnesota.

Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

1

Minnesota West Community And Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Minnesota West Community And Technical College awarded about 296 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn around $43,009 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Minnesota West Community And Technical College

2
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Century College, which ranked #2. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Century College awarded about 196 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Typical student debt for the program is $21,332. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Century College

3
Inver Hills Community College crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MN

Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Inver Hills Community College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. About 201 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Inver Hills Community College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $52,798 early in their careers. Inver Hills Community College graduates carry a median of $20,160 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Inver Hills Community College

4

A rank of #4 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the top schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Dakota County Technical College awarded about 106 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $48,973. Typical student debt for the program is $14,010. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Dakota County Technical College

5
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

A rank of #5 makes South Central College one of the top schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 18 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at South Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Typical student debt for the program is $13,139. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for South Central College

6

Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 110 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Minneapolis Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. Minneapolis Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Minneapolis Community And Technical College

7

Anoka Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Anoka Technical College awarded about 234 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $42,648. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Anoka Technical College

8

Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. About 103 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Rasmussen College Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $45,271. Rasmussen College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $21,274 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Rasmussen College Minnesota

9
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. There were roughly 53 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $48,923 in their early career. Hennepin Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,466 in student loans. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Hennepin Technical College

10

Pine Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Pine City. Pine Technical College awarded about 123 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $37,690 early in their careers. Pine Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Pine Technical College

11

Northland Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Thief River Falls. There were roughly 117 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Northland Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Northland Community And Technical College earn around $44,017 in the first couple years of their career. Northland Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $19,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Northland Community And Technical College

12

Normandale Community College earned the #12 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Normandale Community College awarded about 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $53,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,162. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Normandale Community College

13

Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Alexandria Technical And Community College awarded about 43 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $38,862 in their early career. Alexandria Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $13,671 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Alexandria Technical And Community College

14

Lake Superior College came in at #14 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 19 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Lake Superior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $47,190. Typical student debt for the program is $11,969. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Lake Superior College

15

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 114 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,393 early in their careers. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College

16

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #16 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hibbing. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 105 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn around $41,300 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

17

Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #17 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Brainerd. About 35 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Central Lakes College Brainerd in the most recent year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $35,623 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Central Lakes College Brainerd

18

Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Minnesota State Community And Technical College awarded about 57 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn around $39,109 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Minnesota State Community And Technical College

19

Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #19 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 34 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $42,200. Typical student debt for the program is $20,228. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Rochester Community And Technical College

20

St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 76 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at St Cloud Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $39,897 in their early career. St Cloud Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $23,836 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for St Cloud Technical And Community College

21

Riverland Community College landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Austin. There were roughly 14 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Riverland Community College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $44,726 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,356. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Riverland Community College

22

Northwest Technical College placed #22 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public institution. About 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Northwest Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Northwest Technical College earn around $41,497 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,053. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Northwest Technical College

23
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College earned the #23 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Ridgewater College awarded about 21 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $44,921 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,755. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Ridgewater College

View All Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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