2026 Best Practical Nursing Assistants Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Practical Nursing Assistants associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1309 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Practical Nursing Assistants Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts, our #1 Practical Nursing Assistants school in the United States. Set in San Jose, CA, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution. Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $18,956 in debt. Read the full report on Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts
You'll be in good company at Unitek College, which ranked #2 this year. This private for-profit school is set in Fremont, CA. About 62% of students finish within six years. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $20,077. Read the full report on Unitek College
Pitc Institute came in at #3 on this year's Practical Nursing Assistants ranking in the United States. Pitc Institute is a private for-profit school based in Wyncote, PA. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $20,241. Get the full Pitc Institute report
You'll be in good company at Pacific College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a private for-profit institution. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $16,125. More on Pacific College
Out of the 1309 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Ata College landed the #5 spot. This private for-profit school is set in Louisville, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,200. Students borrow a median of $30,663 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. See the full Ata College profile
Carrington College California Sacramento placed #6 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located in Sacramento, CA, Carrington College California Sacramento is a private for-profit institution. Carrington College California Sacramento Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $25,104 in debt. Read the full report on Carrington College California Sacramento
Merced College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $6,250. More on Merced College
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a public school based in Wahpeton, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. More on North Dakota State College Of Science
Platt College Tulsa came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Platt College Tulsa is a private for-profit school based in Tulsa, OK. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $21,879. Read the full report on Platt College Tulsa
Carrington College California San Jose came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in San Jose, CA, Carrington College California San Jose is a private for-profit institution. Carrington College California San Jose Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $25,104 in debt. Get the full Carrington College California San Jose report
Cuesta College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on Cuesta College
Sacramento City College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Sacramento, CA, Sacramento City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Read the full report on Sacramento City College
Riverside City College placed #14 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Set in Riverside, CA, Riverside City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $11,424. Get the full Riverside City College report
Santa Barbara City College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Barbara City College
Del Mar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Corpus Christi, TX, Del Mar College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $7,476. Read more about Del Mar College
Butte College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Butte College is a public school based in Oroville, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Butte College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $13,382 in debt. See the full Butte College profile
Napa Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. This public school is set in Napa, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. More on Napa Valley College
Dickinson State University placed #19 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Based in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. Dickinson State University graduates 48% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $18,807. See the full Dickinson State University profile
Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Media, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,850. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $24,218. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Visalia, CA, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Get the full San Joaquin Valley College Visalia report
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school based in Santa Rosa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. See the full Santa Rosa Junior College profile
College Of The Redwoods landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Eureka, CA, College Of The Redwoods is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on College Of The Redwoods
Sowela Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Lake Charles, LA, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Sowela Technical Community College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $8,000 in debt. Get the full Sowela Technical Community College report
Hennepin Technical College placed #25 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $16,466. Read the full report on Hennepin Technical College
College Of The Desert ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. College Of The Desert is a public school based in Palm Desert, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $7,826. Get the full College Of The Desert report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Practical Nursing Assistants Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Imperial Valley College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Imperial Valley College is a public school based in Imperial, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Imperial Valley College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $6,176 in debt. Read the full report on Imperial Valley College
Reedley College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Reedley, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read more about Reedley College
Rio Hondo College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Whittier, CA, Rio Hondo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Read the full report on Rio Hondo College
College Of The Siskiyous did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Weed, CA, College Of The Siskiyous is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,444, while out-of-state students pay about $9,394. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $15,625. Read more about College Of The Siskiyous
Arkansas Tech University placed #31 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This public school is set in Russellville, AR. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Graduates carry a median of $23,983 in student loans. Get the full Arkansas Tech University report
Fortis Institute Scranton landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Fortis Institute Scranton is a private for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,348. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $26,749. More on Fortis Institute Scranton
Remington College Memphis Campus placed #33 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Remington College Memphis Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,083. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $18,178. Read the full report on Remington College Memphis Campus
Mission College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Mission College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Mission College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $17,223 in debt. Get the full Mission College report
Central Louisiana Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Alexandria, LA, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,098, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Central Louisiana Technical Community College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. More on Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Quinsigamond Community College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Worcester, MA, Quinsigamond Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Quinsigamond Community College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $19,771 in debt. Read the full report on Quinsigamond Community College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Central Oklahoma College placed #38 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Central Oklahoma College is a private for-profit school based in Oklahoma City, OK. Graduates carry a median of $9,533 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Oklahoma College
Platt College Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private for-profit school is set in Alhambra, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,847. Students borrow a median of $14,290 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Get the full Platt College Los Angeles report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Arecibo, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a private not-for-profit institution. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $9,117. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo profile
Snow College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ephraim, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Get the full Snow College report
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Gurabo, PR, Universidad Del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Universidad Del Turabo Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $20,137 in debt. More on Universidad Del Turabo
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Barranquitas, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a private not-for-profit institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $4,217. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Mercedita, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a private not-for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Graduates carry a median of $7,869 in student loans. Read the full report on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
Caribbean University Bayamon did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Bayamon, PR, Caribbean University Bayamon is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,844. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $11,625. See the full Caribbean University Bayamon profile
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
East Central College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. More on East Central College
Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. See the full Northwest Kansas Technical College profile
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Read more about Pikes Peak Community College
Ralph R Willis Career And Technical Center came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Ralph R Willis Career And Technical Center
Related Practical Nursing Assistants Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Schools (All Levels)
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Practical Nursing Assistants Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1309 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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