2026 Best Practical Nursing Assistants Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Practical Nursing Assistants associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1309 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce 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:
Our analysis found Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts to be the best Practical Nursing Assistants school in the United States. Based in San Jose, CA, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $18,956 in student loans. More on Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts
A rank of #2 makes Unitek College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Fremont, CA, Unitek College is a private for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Unitek College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $20,077 in debt. Read the full report on Unitek College
A rank of #3 makes Pitc Institute one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Wyncote, PA, Pitc Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $20,241. See the full Pitc Institute profile
The strong Practical Nursing Assistants programs at Pacific College earned it the #4 place in the United States. 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
The strong Practical Nursing Assistants programs at Ata College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Louisville, KY, Ata College is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,200 in tuition and fees. 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Sacramento, CA, Carrington College California Sacramento is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $25,104 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on Carrington College California Sacramento
Merced College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Merced, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $6,250. Get the full Merced College report
North Dakota State College Of Science ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $24,385. Get the full North Dakota State College Of Science report
Platt College Tulsa landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Platt College Tulsa is a private for-profit school based in Tulsa, OK. Platt College Tulsa Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $21,879 in debt. Read more about Platt College Tulsa
Carrington College California San Jose placed #10 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located 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. Read more about Carrington College California San Jose
Cuesta College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $18,958. Get the full Cuesta College report
Sacramento City College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Sacramento City College is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Sacramento City College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $13,180 in debt. Read the full report on Sacramento City College
Riverside City College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Riverside, CA, Riverside City College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $11,424. Read the full report on Riverside City College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Santa Barbara City College is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Get the full Santa Barbara City College report
Del Mar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Corpus Christi, TX, Del Mar College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on Del Mar College
Butte College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Oroville, CA, Butte College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $13,382. Get the full Butte College report
Napa Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Napa Valley College is a public school based in Napa, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. See the full Napa Valley College profile
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 posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $18,807. Read the full report on Dickinson State University
Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology placed #20 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Media, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,850. Graduates carry a median of $24,218 in student loans. More on Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Visalia, CA, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a private for-profit institution. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $20,000. More on San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #22 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on Santa Rosa Junior College
College Of The Redwoods placed #23 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located in Eureka, CA, College Of The Redwoods is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. College Of The Redwoods Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. See the full College Of The Redwoods profile
Sowela Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Lake Charles, LA, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $8,000. More on Sowela Technical Community College
Hennepin Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,466 in student loans. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report
College Of The Desert did well this year, earning the #26 position. College Of The Desert is a public school based in Palm Desert, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student 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
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Imperial Valley College did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Imperial, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $6,176. Read more about Imperial Valley College
Reedley College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. This public school is set in Reedley, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $6,500. Get the full Reedley College report
Rio Hondo College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Rio Hondo College is a public school based in Whittier, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $15,510. Get the full Rio Hondo College report
College Of The Siskiyous ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. College Of The Siskiyous is a public school based in Weed, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,444, compared with $9,394 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $15,625. More on College Of The Siskiyous
Arkansas Tech University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Arkansas Tech University is a public school based in Russellville, AR. Arkansas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $23,983. More on Arkansas Tech University
Fortis Institute Scranton ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Fortis Institute Scranton is a private for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. Students from in state pay about $15,348 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,749 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on Fortis Institute Scranton
Remington College Memphis Campus did well this year, earning the #33 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,083. Graduates carry a median of $18,178 in student loans. More on Remington College Memphis Campus
Mission College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. This public school is set in Santa Clara, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $17,223. See the full Mission College profile
Central Louisiana Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,098, with out-of-state students paying around $4,363. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $9,500. Read the full report on Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Quinsigamond Community College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Quinsigamond Community College is a public school based in Worcester, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $19,771. See the full Quinsigamond Community College profile
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. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Central Oklahoma College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Oklahoma City, OK, Central Oklahoma College is a private for-profit institution. Central Oklahoma College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $9,533 in debt. Get the full Central Oklahoma College report
Platt College Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Alhambra, CA, Platt College Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,847. Platt College Los Angeles Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $14,290 in debt. Read more about Platt College Los Angeles
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a private not-for-profit school based in Arecibo, PR. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo graduates 37% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Read the full report on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Snow College placed #41 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Set in Ephraim, UT, Snow College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Snow College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. Get the full Snow College report
Universidad Del Turabo landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Gurabo, PR. The six-year graduation rate is 31%. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,137 in student loans. Read more about Universidad Del Turabo
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Based in Barranquitas, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a private not-for-profit institution. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas graduates 32% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,742. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $4,217 in debt. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas profile
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce did well this year, earning the #44 position. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a private not-for-profit school based in Mercedita, PR. About 34% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,780. Students borrow a median of $7,869 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Get the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce report
Caribbean University Bayamon landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bayamon, PR, Caribbean University Bayamon is a private not-for-profit institution. About 36% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,844 in tuition and fees. Caribbean University Bayamon Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $11,625 in debt. Get the full Caribbean University Bayamon report
Compu Med Vocational Careers Corp landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. More on Compu Med Vocational Careers Corp
Copper Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Copper Mountain Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Lehigh Carbon Community College
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Get the full Minnesota State Community And Technical College report
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
Ranger College
Ranger College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Ranger College
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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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