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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 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College 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:
No school ranked higher than Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts this year in the United States. Based in San Jose, CA, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,956 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Get the full Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts report
Unitek College came in at #2 on this year's Practical Nursing Assistants ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Fremont, CA. Unitek College posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Unitek College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $20,077 in debt. Get the full Unitek College report
You'll be in good company at Pitc Institute, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Wyncote, PA, Pitc Institute is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $20,241 in student loans. See the full Pitc Institute profile
A rank of #4 makes Pacific College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Read more about Pacific College
The strong Practical Nursing Assistants programs at Ata College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Louisville, KY, Ata College is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,200. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $30,663. More on Ata College
Carrington College California Sacramento did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private for-profit school is set in Sacramento, CA. Graduates carry a median of $25,104 in student loans. More on Carrington College California Sacramento
Merced College placed #7 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This public school is set in Merced, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $6,250. More on Merced College
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. North Dakota State College Of Science Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $24,385 in debt. Read the full report on North Dakota State College Of Science
Platt College Tulsa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Tulsa, OK, Platt College Tulsa is a private for-profit institution. Platt College Tulsa Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $21,879 in debt. Get the full Platt College Tulsa report
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. Graduates carry a median of $25,104 in student loans. See the full Carrington College California San Jose profile
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $18,958. Get the full Cuesta College report
Sacramento City College placed #13 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located in Sacramento, CA, Sacramento City College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $13,180. Get the full Sacramento City College report
Riverside City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located in Riverside, CA, Riverside City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. More on Riverside City College
Santa Barbara City College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $21,090. More on Santa Barbara City College
Del Mar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. This public school is set in Corpus Christi, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $7,476. Read more about Del Mar College
Butte College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Oroville, CA, Butte College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. See the full Butte College profile
Napa Valley College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Napa Valley College is a public school based 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 landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Dickinson, ND. About 48% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Graduates carry a median of $18,807 in student loans. Read more about Dickinson State University
Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology placed #20 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Located in Media, PA, Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,850. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $24,218. See the full Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology profile
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a private for-profit school based in Visalia, CA. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Santa Rosa Junior College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $14,692 in debt. Read more about Santa Rosa Junior College
College Of The Redwoods ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Based in Eureka, CA, College Of The Redwoods is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $20,000. See the full College Of The Redwoods profile
Sowela Technical Community College placed #24 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lake Charles, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,305. Sowela Technical Community College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $8,000 in debt. Read the full report on Sowela Technical Community College
Hennepin Technical College placed #25 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $16,466. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report
College Of The Desert landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Palm Desert, CA, College Of The Desert is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. College Of The Desert Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $7,826 in debt. More on College Of The Desert
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 came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Imperial, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read more about Imperial Valley College
Reedley College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Reedley, CA, Reedley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $6,500. More on Reedley College
Rio Hondo College did well this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Whittier, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Rio Hondo College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $15,510 in debt. Read more about Rio Hondo College
College Of The Siskiyous did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Weed, CA, College Of The Siskiyous is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,444, compared with $9,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read the full report on College Of The Siskiyous
Arkansas Tech University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,983 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. More on Arkansas Tech University
Fortis Institute Scranton did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,348. Fortis Institute Scranton Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $26,749 in debt. Get the full Fortis Institute Scranton report
Remington College Memphis Campus came in at #33 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN. Students from in state pay about $17,083 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,178 in student loans. More on Remington College Memphis Campus
Mission College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Mission College is a public school based in Santa Clara, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Mission College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $17,223 in debt. See the full Mission College profile
Central Louisiana Technical Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Located 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. Get the full Central Louisiana Technical Community College report
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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $19,771. Get the full Quinsigamond Community College report
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #37 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,326. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
Central Oklahoma College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Oklahoma City, OK. Typical Practical Nursing Assistants student debt is $9,533. See the full Central Oklahoma College profile
Platt College Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Alhambra, CA, Platt College Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,847. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $14,290. 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. Based in Arecibo, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a private not-for-profit institution. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo graduates 37% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $9,117. Read the full report on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Snow College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Ephraim, UT, Snow College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Snow College Practical Nursing Assistants students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. Read more about Snow College
Universidad Del Turabo landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Gurabo, PR, Universidad Del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution. About 31% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. The median Practical Nursing Assistants program debt is $20,137. Get the full Universidad Del Turabo report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas did well this year, earning the #43 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Barranquitas, PR. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas graduates 32% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Graduates carry a median of $4,217 in student loans. Read more about Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #44 among Practical Nursing Assistants schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mercedita, PR. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $7,869 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Read more about Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
Caribbean University Bayamon ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Set in Bayamon, PR, Caribbean University Bayamon is a private not-for-profit institution. Caribbean University Bayamon graduates 36% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,844. Students borrow a median of $11,625 to complete their Practical Nursing Assistants program here. Get the full Caribbean University Bayamon report
Davis Technical College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full Davis Technical College report
Green Country Technology Center landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. See the full Green Country Technology Center profile
Pierpont Community And Technical College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. More on Pierpont Community And Technical College
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald
Athena Career Academy landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Athena Career Academy
Herzing University Kenosha ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Practical Nursing Assistants schools. Read more about Herzing University Kenosha
Related Practical Nursing Assistants Rankings
See rankings for 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 Trade College (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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