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2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools

821 Colleges
$36,841 Avg Salary
$15,480 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is the #21 most popular major in the country with 84,274 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for healthcare students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. This report analyzed 821 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for healthcare students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Colleges.

Top 25 Top Schools for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Nursing & Nursing Assistants

Our analysis found Eastern Center for Arts and Technology to be the best school for practical nursing and nursing assistants students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the United States. Eastern Center for Arts and Technology is a fairly small public school located in the suburb of Willow Grove.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing graduates from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology carry an average student debtload of $19,881.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harmony Health Care Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Harmony Health Care Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Merrimack.

Practical Nursing majors at Harmony Health Care Institute take out an average of $16,908 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#3

Unitek College

South San Francisco, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Unitek College is a great place for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Unitek College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of South San Francisco.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Unitek College take out $18,219 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $217, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 821 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing landed the # 4 spot on the list. Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing is a small public school located in the large suburb of Billerica.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing take out $13,801 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Greater Lowell Technical School. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the suburb of Tyngsboro, Greater Lowell Technical School is a public college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Greater Lowell Technical School take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,445.

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With a ranking of #6, Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program is a public college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program accumulate an average of around $11,367 in student debt.

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#7

Unitek College

Hayward, CA

Unitek College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Unitek College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hayward.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Unitek College take out $18,219 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $217, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#8

Cass Career Center

Harrisonville, MO

With a ranking of #8, Cass Career Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the town of Harrisonville, Cass RIX School District is a public college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing graduates from Cass RIX School District carry an average student debtload of $17,130.

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Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the large suburb of Hicksville, Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing is a public school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $16,936. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $85, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Mateo.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of around $18,229 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $152.

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#11

Southeastern Technical Institute

South Easton, MA

Southeastern Technical Institute ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Southeastern Technical Institute is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of South Easton.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Southeastern Technical Institute take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $17,397.

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Saint Michael College of Allied Health ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the large city of Alexandria, Saint Michael College of Allied Health is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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#13

Verve College

Oak Brook, IL

With a ranking of #13, Verve College did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Verve College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Brook.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing graduates from Verve College carry an average student debtload of $20,569.

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Franklin County Career and Technology Center came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Franklin County Career and Technology Center is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Chambersburg.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Franklin County Career and Technology Center take out $20,871 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#15

Blake Austin College

Vacaville, CA

Blake Austin College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Blake Austin College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Vacaville.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Blake Austin College accumulate an average of around $18,496 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #16, Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the rural area of Charlton, Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District is a public college with a small student population.

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#17

Monty Tech

Fitchburg, MA

Monty Tech ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Monty Tech is a fairly small public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Fitchburg.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Monty Tech take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $15,000.

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Xavier College School of Nursing came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the city of Stockton, Xavier College School of Nursing is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Xavier College School of Nursing take out an average of $16,458 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#19

Lex La-Ray Technical Center

Lexington, MO

Lex La-Ray Technical Center ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. LLRTC is a fairly small public school located in the distant town of Lexington.

Practical Nursing majors at LLRTC take out an average of $20,626 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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With a ranking of #20, Marian College School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Marian College Van Nuys is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Van Nuys.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Marian College Van Nuys accumulate an average of around $14,515 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $160, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #21, Western Area Career & Technology Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Western Area Career & Technology Center is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Canonsburg.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Western Area Career & Technology Center take out $16,509 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for practical nursing and nursing assistants students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing graduates from AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing carry an average student debtload of $20,435.

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#23

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA

Homestead Schools ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Torrance, Homestead Schools is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Homestead Schools accumulate an average of around $19,480 in student debt.

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Marian College School of Nursing landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Marian College Los Angeles is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, practical nursing majors at Marian College Los Angeles accumulate an average of around $14,515 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $160, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #25, Rockland County BOCES-Practical Nursing Program did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their undergraduate certificate. Rockland County BOCES-Practical Nursing Program is a fairly small public school located in the large suburb of West Nyack.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Rockland County BOCES-Practical Nursing Program take out $14,164 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools

#26

Applied Technology Services

Sunset Hills, MO
#28

Unitek College

Fremont, CA
#33

Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Huber Heights, OH
#35

Best Care College

East Orange, NJ
#36

Universal Training Institute

Perth Amboy, NJ
#37

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA
#38

Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Brentwood, NY
#43

Polytech Adult Education

Woodside, DE
#44

Hazleton Area Career Center

Hazle TWP., PA
#45

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL
#46

California Career Institute

Garden Grove, CA
#48

Jersey College

Teterboro, NJ

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 821 different United States practical nursing and nursing assistants schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Cayuga Onondaga BOCES - Practical Nursing Program Auburn, NY
52 Saline County Career Center Marshall, MO
53 Broome Delaware Tioga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Binghamton, NY
54 Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton Shelton, CT
55 Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Hudson Falls, NY
56 Orange Ulster BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Goshen, NY
57 MDT College of Health Sciences Highland Heights, OH
58 North Shore Community College Danvers, MA
59 Lincoln Technical Institute - New Britain New Britain, CT
60 Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FL
61 Career Center of Southern Illinois Red Bud, IL
62 Greene County Career and Technology Center Waynesburg, PA
63 Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center Mill Creek, PA
64 Sumner College Portland, OR
65 Central School of Practical Nursing Independence, OH
66 Carthage Technical Center Carthage, MO
67 Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown Moorestown, NJ
68 Clinton Technical School Clinton, MO
69 Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MA
70 Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County Scranton, PA
71 Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln Lincoln, RI
72 Roane-Jackson Technical Center Leroy, WV
73 Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin Iselin, NJ
74 Monongalia County Technical Education Center Morgantown, WV
75 Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio San Antonio, TX
76 Herkimer County BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Ilion, NY
77 American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CA
78 Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing-Plantation General Hospital Miami, FL
79 Texas Health School Houston, TX
80 North Florida Technical College Starke, FL
81 Northern Tier Career Center Towanda, PA
82 Eastwick College - Hackensack Hackensack, NJ
83 Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center Springville, PA
84 CES College Burbank, CA
85 Greenfield Community College Greenfield, MA
86 Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program Uniontown, PA
87 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
88 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
89 Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus Paramus, NJ
90 Stone Academy-West Haven West Haven, CT
91 Prism Career Institute, Cherry Hill Cherry Hill, NJ
92 Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing Troy, NY
93 Mercer County Career Center Mercer, PA
94 Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES Elmira, NY
95 Tri-Rivers Career Center Marion, OH
96 Angeles College Los Angeles, CA
97 John D Rockefeller IV Career Center New Cumberland, WV
98 Northern Career Institute Eastlake, OH
99 Stone Academy-East Hartford East Hartford, CT
100 East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa, AZ
101 Herzing University - Birmingham Birmingham, AL
102 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
103 Herzing University - Brookfield Brookfield, WI
104 Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown Allentown, PA
105 Academy for Careers and Technology Mullins, SC
106 Prism Career Institute, West Atlantic City West Atlantic City, NJ
107 Eastern Virginia Career College Fredericksburg, VA
108 Four Rivers Career Center Washington, MO
109 Venango County Area Vocational Technical School Oil City, PA
110 Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Altoona, PA
111 York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education York, PA
112 West Coast Ultrasound Institute Beverly Hills, CA
113 Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Willow Street, PA
114 Concorde Career College - Aurora Aurora, CO
115 Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap, PA
116 Integrity College of Health Pasadena, CA
117 Miami Valley Career Technology Center Englewood, OH
118 Porter and Chester Institute of Hamden Hamden, CT
119 Dixie Technical College Saint George, UT
120 Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Clearwater, FL
121 Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
122 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
123 Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MI

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing & Nursing Assistants students that almost earned our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools award.

Rank College Location
124 Western Suffolk BOCES Northport, NY
125 Baptist Health College - Little Rock Little Rock, AR
126 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
127 Carrington College-San Jose San Jose, CA
128 Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MO
129 Pennsylvania Institute of Technology Media, PA
130 Jefferson Lewis BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Watertown, NY
131 Somerset County Technology Center Somerset, PA
132 Pacific College Costa Mesa, CA
133 Herzing University - Winter Park Winter Park, FL
134 Stone Academy-Waterbury Waterbury, CT
135 Athena Career Academy Toledo, OH
136 Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, MA
137 Wayne County Schools Career Center Smithville, OH
138 Ohio Medical Career College Dayton, OH
139 Clearfield County Career and Technology Center Clearfield, PA
140 Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MN
141 First Coast Technical College Saint Augustine, FL
142 Cape Coral Technical College Cape Coral, FL
143 Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka, KS
144 Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KY
145 Texas County Technical College Houston, MO
146 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA
147 Sandusky Career Center Sandusky, OH
148 Centra College of Nursing Lynchburg, VA
149 Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown, SD
150 Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD
151 El Centro College Dallas, TX
152 American Career College - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
153 Rolla Technical Institute/Center Rolla, MO
154 Mercer County Technical Education Center Princeton, WV
155 Otsego Area BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Oneonta, NY
156 Upper Valley Career Center Piqua, OH
157 Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN
158 Concorde Career College - Portland Portland, OR
159 Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Brecksville, OH
160 Fayette Institute of Technology Oak Hill, WV
161 Baptist Health System School of Health Professions San Antonio, TX
162 Beaumont Adult School Beaumont, CA
163 Collins Career Technical Center Chesapeake, OH
164 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants by Region

View the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Undergraduate Certificate Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is one of 30 different types of healthcare programs to choose from.

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 44,900
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 34,557
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,817

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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