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Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools

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 analysis found Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College to be the best value school for practical nursing & nursing assistants students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the United States. Located in the rural area of Minden, NLTCC is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NLTCC are $4,109 per year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Neosho County Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools list. Neosho County Community College is a small public school located in the town of Chanute.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Neosho County Community College Report

Out of the 396 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Clovis Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. 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.

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

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.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,530 per year.

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

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City.

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

Read More…

Madison Area 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 #6 on the list. Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public school with a large student population.

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

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Madison College also did well on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Madison Area Technical College

Coastal Pines 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 #7 on the list. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

Coastal Pines Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,906 in tuition and fees each year.

Coastal Pines 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.

Read More…

#8

Centralia College

Centralia, WA

Centralia 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 #8 on the list. Centralia College is a small public school located in the distant town of Centralia.

Centralia College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,381 in tuition and fees each year.

Centralia College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Centralia College Report

#9

Garden City Community College

Garden City, KS

Garden City Community 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 #9 on the list. 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

Moraine Park Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in the small city of Fond du Lac.

Moraine Park Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,793 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Moraine Park Technical College also did well on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Moraine Park Technical College Report

#11

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Century College is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake.

Century College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,105 in tuition and fees each year.

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

Read More…

With a ranking of #12, University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. UACCM is a small public school located in the town of Morrilton.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UACCM are $4,128 per year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Report

Alvin Community 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 #13 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Alvin, Alvin is a public college 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

With a ranking of #14, Johnson County Community 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 midsize city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public school with a large student population.

JCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees each year.

JCCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.

Read More…

University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville 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 #14 on the list. Located in the town of Batesville, UACCB is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UACCB are $3,750 per year.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville Report

Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, OFTC is a public college with a small student population.

OFTC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

Arkansas State University - Newport landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the rural area of Newport, ASUN is a public college with a small student population.

ASUN undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Arkansas State University - Newport

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 school with a moderately-sized student population.

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

CVTC 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 More…

With a ranking of #18, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. FVTC is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton.

FVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,977 in tuition and fees each year.

FVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

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.

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

BTC 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…

#21

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA

Central Georgia 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 #21 on the list. CGTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Warner Robins.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at CGTC are $5,482 a year.

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

With a ranking of #22, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students working on their basic certificate. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the small suburb of Valdosta.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,562 in tuition and fees each 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 town of Watertown, LATI is a public school 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.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Lake Area Technical Institute Report

#23

Dodge City Community College

Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing & Nursing Assistants Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Dodge City Community College is a small public school located in the town of Dodge City.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dodge City Community College are $4,890 per 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 large suburb of Anoka.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 per year.

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

Read More…

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 rest of the colleges 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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