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2023 Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

396 Colleges
$5,275 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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

In 2021-2022, 85,339 practical nursing & nursing assistants students received their degrees and certificates, making the major the #2 most popular in the country.

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 396 schools in the United States to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for practical nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for practical nursing majors pursuing a basic certificate.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Nursing & Nursing Assistants

Our 2023 rankings named Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College the best value school in the United States for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Located in the rural area of Minden, NLTCC is a public school with a fairly small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NLTCC are $4,109 a year.

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Out of the 396 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Neosho County Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Neosho County Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Chanute.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Neosho County Community College are $4,416 per year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Neosho County Community College

The excellent basic certificate programs at Clovis Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the United States. Clovis Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Clovis.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Clovis Community College are $3,224 a year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Clovis Community College Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Hutchinson Community College is a great value for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Hutchinson Community College is a small public school located in the distant town of Hutchinson.

Hutchinson Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Hutchinson Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

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Out of the 396 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Sioux City.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,946 per year.

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Madison Area Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Madison College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,812 in tuition and fees each year.

Madison College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

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Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Coastal Pines Technical College are $4,906 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Coastal Pines Technical College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Coastal Pines Technical College

#8

Centralia College

Centralia, WA

With a ranking of #8, Centralia College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Centralia College is a small public school located in the town of Centralia.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,381 per year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Centralia College also did well on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Centralia College

#9

Garden City Community College

Garden City, KS

With a ranking of #9, Garden City Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Garden City Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Garden City.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Garden City Community College are $4,110 per year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Garden City Community College

#10

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, WI

With a ranking of #10, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in the small city of Fond du Lac.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,793 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Moraine Park Technical College also is in the top 5% of our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Moraine Park Technical College

#11

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

With a ranking of #11, Century College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Century College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Century College are $6,105 per year.

Century College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Century College

University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. UACCM is a small public school located in the town of Morrilton.

UACCM undergraduate students pay an average of $4,128 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton

Alvin Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Alvin are $4,010 a year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Alvin Community College

#14

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in the city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at JCCC are $5,472 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, JCCC also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.

Read More…

With a ranking of #14, University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Located in the remote town of Batesville, UACCB is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UACCB are $3,750 a year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville

With a ranking of #16, Oconee Fall Line Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, OFTC is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OFTC are $5,472 per year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Oconee Fall Line Technical College Report

Arkansas State University - Newport ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in the rural area of Newport, ASUN is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASUN are $4,416 a year.

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With a ranking of #18, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Located in the small city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,793 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, CVTC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for practical nursing & nursing assistants students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. FVTC is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at FVTC are $6,977 a year.

FVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Fox Valley Technical College

#20

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, WI

Blackhawk Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. BTC is a small public school located in the small suburb of Janesville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BTC are $6,793 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, BTC also did well on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Blackhawk Technical College Report

#21

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA

Central Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. CGTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Warner Robins.

CGTC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,482 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Central Georgia Technical College Report

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the small suburb of Valdosta.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College are $5,562 per year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

With a ranking of #23, Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Located in the remote town of Watertown, LATI is a public college with a small student population.

LATI undergraduate students pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees each year.

LATI excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Read More…

#23

Dodge City Community College

Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Dodge City Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Dodge City.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Dodge City Community College are $4,890 a year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Dodge City Community College

Anoka Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Anoka Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Anoka.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 a year.

Anoka Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Anoka Technical College Report

Rest of the Top Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools

#30

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, MN
#36

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, TX
#43

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN
#45

Merced College

Merced, CA
#46

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, GA
#49

Savannah Technical College

Savannah, GA
#50

Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 396 different United States practical nursing & nursing assistants schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Butte College Oroville, CA
52 Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN
53 Flint Hills Technical College Emporia, KS
54 North Central Kansas Technical College Beloit, KS
55 Big Bend Community College Moses Lake, WA
56 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
57 Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA
58 Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WI
59 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
60 Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GA
61 Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KS
62 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA
63 West Georgia Technical College Waco, GA
64 Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WI
65 Arkansas State University Three Rivers Malvern, AR
65 University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus Gallup, NM
67 Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA
68 Southeastern Technical College Vidalia, GA
69 GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZ
70 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA
71 South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
72 Oregon Coast Community College Newport, OR
73 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
74 Lake Superior College Duluth, MN
75 San Juan College Farmington, NM
76 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA
77 Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA
78 Highland Community College Freeport, IL
79 North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants by Region

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

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

One of 11 majors within the trade school area of study, practical nursing & nursing assistants has other similar majors worth exploring.

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 45,031
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 35,655
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,653

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 88,600
Allied Health Professions 83,905
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 83,587
Health Sciences & Services 36,762
Mental & Social Health Services 30,331

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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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