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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

With 84,274 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, practical nursing and nursing assistants is the #2 most popular major in the United States.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 962 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for practical nursing majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Top Schools in Nursing & Nursing Assistants

Our 2023 rankings named Eastern Center for Arts and Technology the best school in the United States for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Eastern Center for Arts and Technology is a small public school located in the suburb of Willow Grove.

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

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harmony Health Care Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Harmony Health Care Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Merrimack.

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

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#3

Unitek College

South San Francisco, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Unitek College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Unitek College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of South San Francisco.

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.

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

The excellent programs at Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best practical nursing and nursing assistants schools in the United States. Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing is a small public school located in the suburb of Billerica.

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. Located in the suburb of Tyngsboro, Greater Lowell Technical School is a public college with a small student population.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Greater Lowell Technical School Report

Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program is a public school with a fairly small student population.

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

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program

#7

Unitek College

Hayward, CA

Unitek College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #7 on the list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hayward.

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.

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

#8

Cass Career Center

Harrisonville, MO

Cass Career Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the town of Harrisonville, Cass RIX School District is a public college with a small student population.

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

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cass Career Center

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. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Mateo.

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 came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Hicksville, Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing is a public school with a fairly small student population.

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.

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#11

Southeastern Technical Institute

South Easton, MA

Southeastern Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #11 on the list. Southeastern Technical Institute is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of South Easton.

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. Located in the city of Alexandria, Saint Michael College of Allied Health is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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

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#13

Verve College

Oak Brook, IL

With a ranking of #13, Verve College did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Verve College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Oak Brook.

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 came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Franklin County Career and Technology Center is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Chambersburg.

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 came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Blake Austin College is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Vacaville.

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

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Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Charlton, Southern Worcester County Regional Voc School District is a public college with a fairly small student population.

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 landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Monty Tech is a small public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Fitchburg.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Monty Tech Report

With a ranking of #18, Xavier College School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the large city of Stockton, Xavier College School of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #19 on the list. PITC Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Wyncote.

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 came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. LLRTC is a small public school located in the distant town of Lexington.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Lex La-Ray Technical Center Report

#21

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Unitek College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #21 on the list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Fremont.

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 landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Marian College Van Nuys is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Van Nuys.

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. Western Area Career & Technology Center is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Canonsburg.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Western Area Career & Technology Center Report

AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing

#25

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA

Homestead Schools ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the city of Torrance, Homestead Schools is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Homestead Schools Report

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

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the schools 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

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing & Nursing Assistants students that almost earned our 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

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 44,900
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 34,557
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,817

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592

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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