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2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

962 Colleges
$36,863 Avg Salary
$15,708 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School for You

In 2020-2021, 84,274 people earned a degree or certificate in practical nursing and nursing assistants, making the major the #187 most popular in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. This report analyzed 962 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

Check out the practical nursing programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Schools 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 degree in the United States. Located in the large suburb of Willow Grove, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology is a public college with a fairly small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology take out $15,050 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Harmony Health Care Institute. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Merrimack, Harmony Health Care Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Harmony Health Care Institute take out $12,685 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Harmony Health Care Institute Report

#3

Unitek College

South San Francisco, CA

The excellent programs at Unitek College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best practical nursing and nursing assistants schools in the United States. Located in the small city of South San Francisco, Unitek College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Unitek College take out is $17,305. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $217, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing is a great place for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the suburb of Billerica, Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing is a public school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing carry an average student debtload of $9,500.

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Out of the 962 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Greater Lowell Technical School landed the # 5 spot on the list. Greater Lowell Technical School is a fairly small public school located in the suburb of Tyngsboro.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Greater Lowell Technical School take out $8,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #6 on the list. Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program is a fairly small public school located in the large suburb of Poughkeepsie.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program carry an average student debtload of $9,525.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Report

#7

Unitek College

Hayward, CA

With a ranking of #7, Unitek College did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Unitek College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Unitek College take out is $17,305. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $217, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College Report

#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. Cass RIX School District is a fairly small public school located in the town of Harrisonville.

Practical Nursing majors at Cass RIX School District take out an average of $13,850 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cass Career Center Report

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the midsize city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts carry an average student debtload of $17,317. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $152.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Report

Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing is a fairly small public school located in the suburb of Hicksville.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing carry an average student debtload of $12,104. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $85, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing

#11

Southeastern Technical Institute

South Easton, MA

Southeastern Technical Institute came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of South Easton, Southeastern Technical Institute is a public school with a fairly small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Southeastern Technical Institute take out $15,340 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Saint Michael College of Allied Health ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Saint Michael College of Allied Health is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Alexandria.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Saint Michael College of Allied Health take out $17,713 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Saint Michael College of Allied Health Report

#13

Verve College

Oak Brook, IL

Verve College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Oak Brook, Verve College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Verve College take out an average of $15,151 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Franklin County Career and Technology Center ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the rural area of Chambersburg, Franklin County Career and Technology Center is a public school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Franklin County Career and Technology Center accumulate an average of around $15,829 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Franklin County Career and Technology Center Report

#15

Blake Austin College

Vacaville, CA

Blake Austin College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the suburb of Vacaville, Blake Austin College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Blake Austin College carry an average student debtload of $17,900.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Blake Austin College Report

Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #16 on the list. Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Charlton.

Practical Nursing majors at Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District take out an average of $10,187 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District

#17

Monty Tech

Fitchburg, MA

Monty Tech did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Fitchburg, Monty Tech is a public school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Monty Tech take out is $9,532.

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Xavier College School of Nursing landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Xavier College School of Nursing is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Stockton.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Xavier College School of Nursing take out is $16,757.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Xavier College School of Nursing Report

#19

PITC Institute

Wyncote, PA

PITC Institute landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the suburb of Wyncote, PITC Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at PITC Institute take out is $18,300.

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#20

Lex La-Ray Technical Center

Lexington, MO

Lex La-Ray Technical Center ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the distant town of Lexington, LLRTC is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at LLRTC accumulate an average of around $15,881 in student debt.

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#21

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Unitek College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Unitek College take out an average of $19,020 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $207, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College Report

Marian College School of Nursing ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the city of Van Nuys, Marian College Van Nuys is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Marian College Van Nuys take out is $13,797. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $160, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Marian College School of Nursing

Western Area Career & Technology Center came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Canonsburg, Western Area Career & Technology Center is a public college with a fairly small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Western Area Career & Technology Center take out an average of $16,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Western Area Career & Technology Center

AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Brooklyn.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing carry an average student debtload of $16,066.

Read More…

#25

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA

Homestead Schools landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Homestead Schools is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Torrance.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Homestead Schools take out $18,040 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

#28

Applied Technology Services

Sunset Hills, MO
#34

Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Huber Heights, OH
#36

Universal Training Institute

Perth Amboy, NJ
#37

Best Care College

East Orange, NJ
#38

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA
#39

Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Brentwood, NY
#44

Polytech Adult Education

Woodside, DE
#45

Hazleton Area Career Center

Hazle TWP., PA
#46

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL
#48

Jersey College

Teterboro, NJ
#49

Access Careers

Hempstead, NY

Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 962 different United States practical nursing and nursing assistants schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Institute of Technology Salem, OR
52 Cayuga Onondaga BOCES - Practical Nursing Program Auburn, NY
53 California Career Institute Garden Grove, CA
54 Saline County Career Center Marshall, MO
55 Broome Delaware Tioga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Binghamton, NY
56 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
57 Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Hudson Falls, NY
58 Orange Ulster BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Goshen, NY
59 Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton Shelton, CT
60 MDT College of Health Sciences Highland Heights, OH
61 Dixie Technical College Saint George, UT
62 Texas Health School Houston, TX
63 North Shore Community College Danvers, MA
64 Lincoln Technical Institute - New Britain New Britain, CT
65 Greene County Career and Technology Center Waynesburg, PA
66 Pacific College Costa Mesa, CA
67 Career Center of Southern Illinois Red Bud, IL
68 Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI
69 Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center Mill Creek, PA
70 Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FL
71 Sumner College Portland, OR
72 Central School of Practical Nursing Independence, OH
73 Carthage Technical Center Carthage, MO
74 Clinton Technical School Clinton, MO
75 Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MA
76 Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County Scranton, PA
77 Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln Lincoln, RI
78 Roane-Jackson Technical Center Leroy, WV
79 ATA College Louisville, KY
80 Monongalia County Technical Education Center Morgantown, WV
81 Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio San Antonio, TX
82 Herkimer County BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Ilion, NY
83 American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CA
84 Rivier University Nashua, NH
85 Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka, KS
86 Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing-Plantation General Hospital Miami, FL
87 Northern Tier Career Center Towanda, PA
88 Miami Valley Career Technology Center Englewood, OH
89 Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin Iselin, NJ
90 Eastwick College - Hackensack Hackensack, NJ
91 Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center Springville, PA
92 North Florida Technical College Starke, FL
93 CES College Burbank, CA
94 Greenfield Community College Greenfield, MA
95 Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown Moorestown, NJ
96 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
97 Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program Uniontown, PA
98 Cape Coral Technical College Cape Coral, FL
99 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
100 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
101 Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL
102 Prism Career Institute, Cherry Hill Cherry Hill, NJ
103 Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing Troy, NY
104 Mercer County Career Center Mercer, PA
105 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
106 Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES Elmira, NY
107 John D Rockefeller IV Career Center New Cumberland, WV
108 Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO
109 Northern Career Institute Eastlake, OH
110 Herzing University - Birmingham Birmingham, AL
111 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
112 Herzing University - Brookfield Brookfield, WI
113 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
114 Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown Allentown, PA
115 Academy for Careers and Technology Mullins, SC
116 Prism Career Institute, West Atlantic City West Atlantic City, NJ
117 Eastern Virginia Career College Fredericksburg, VA
118 Four Rivers Career Center Washington, MO
119 Venango County Area Vocational Technical School Oil City, PA
120 North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, ND
121 Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Altoona, PA
122 York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education York, PA
123 West Coast Ultrasound Institute Beverly Hills, CA
124 Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Willow Street, PA
125 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
126 Concorde Career College - Aurora Aurora, CO
127 Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap, PA
128 Merced College Merced, CA
129 Medical Institute of Palm Beach Greenacres, FL
130 Carrington College, Sacramento Sacramento, CA
131 Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus Paramus, NJ
132 Integrity College of Health Pasadena, CA
133 Autry Technology Center Enid, OK
134 William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL
135 Porter and Chester Institute of Hamden Hamden, CT
136 Angeles College Los Angeles, CA
137 Stone Academy-West Haven West Haven, CT
138 Tri-Rivers Career Center Marion, OH
139 Orange Technical College - Orlando Campus Orlando, FL
140 Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Clearwater, FL
141 Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
142 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
143 Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MI
144 Western Suffolk BOCES Northport, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools award.

Rank College Location
145 East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa, AZ
146 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY
147 Baptist Health College - Little Rock Little Rock, AR
148 Platt College - Tulsa Tulsa, OK
149 Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MO
150 Oregon Coast Community College Newport, OR
151 Carrington College-San Jose San Jose, CA
152 Stone Academy-East Hartford East Hartford, CT
153 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
154 Apollo Career Center Lima, OH
155 Jefferson Lewis BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Watertown, NY
156 Somerset County Technology Center Somerset, PA
157 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI
158 Herzing University - Winter Park Winter Park, FL
159 Universidad del Turabo Gurabo, PR
160 Athena Career Academy Toledo, OH
161 Pennsylvania Institute of Technology Media, PA
162 Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, MA
163 Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UT
164 Regional Center for Border Health Yuma, AZ
165 Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown, SD
166 Ohio Medical Career College Dayton, OH
167 Clearfield County Career and Technology Center Clearfield, PA
168 Butte College Oroville, CA
169 First Coast Technical College Saint Augustine, FL
170 Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KY
171 Texas County Technical College Houston, MO
172 Technical College of the Rockies Delta, CO
173 Sandusky Career Center Sandusky, OH
174 Centra College of Nursing Lynchburg, VA
175 Pioneer Technology Center Ponca City, OK
176 Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD
177 Stone Academy-Waterbury Waterbury, CT
178 El Centro College Dallas, TX
179 American Career College - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
180 Rolla Technical Institute/Center Rolla, MO
181 Mercer County Technical Education Center Princeton, WV
182 Otsego Area BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Oneonta, NY
183 Wayne County Schools Career Center Smithville, OH
184 Upper Valley Career Center Piqua, OH
185 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
186 Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN
187 Concorde Career College - Portland Portland, OR
188 Fayette Institute of Technology Oak Hill, WV
189 Baptist Health System School of Health Professions San Antonio, TX
190 Beaumont Adult School Beaumont, CA
191 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA
192 Collins Career Technical Center Chesapeake, OH

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants by Region

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

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

One of 30 majors within the area of study, practical nursing and nursing assistants has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Practical Nursing

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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