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2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

1,276 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. This report analyzed 1,276 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants program at each school on the list.

Check out the practical nursing programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis found Ivy Tech Community College to be the most popular school for practical nursing and nursing assistants students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Ivy Tech Community College take out $14,751 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Ivy Tech Community College

#2

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Unitek College is a great place for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Fremont.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Unitek College carry an average student debt load of $19,020. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $207, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

Out of the 1,276 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts landed the # 3 spot on the list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of San Mateo.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of around $17,317 in student debt. 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

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great place for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. NWTC is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Green Bay.

Practical Nursing majors at NWTC take out an average of $15,210 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

#5

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend ECPI University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at ECPI University accumulate an average of around $25,850 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $137.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at ECPI University Report

Bluegrass Community and Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Lexington.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Bluegrass Community and Technical College carry an average student debt load of $13,050.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Bluegrass Community and Technical College Report

Gateway Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Gateway Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Kenosha.

Practical Nursing majors at Gateway Technical College take out an average of $12,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gateway Technical College

With a ranking of #8, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. FVTC is a large public school located in the midsize suburb of Appleton.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from FVTC carry an average student debt load of $14,176.

Read More…

With a ranking of #9, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, WCTC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Practical Nursing majors at WCTC take out an average of $11,992 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#10

Hondros College of Nursing

Westerville, OH

Hondros College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Westerville, Hondros College of Nursing is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Hondros College of Nursing take out $21,651 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $110.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Hondros College of Nursing Report

With a ranking of #11, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at CVTC accumulate an average of around $14,435 in student debt.

Read More…

Madison Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Madison College carry an average student debt load of $15,173.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Madison Area Technical College Report

#13

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL

College of Lake County landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from College of Lake County carry an average student debt load of $12,000.

Read More…

Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. WSU Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Wichita.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at WSU Tech take out is $20,266.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Columbus State Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

#16

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, WI

With a ranking of #16, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Fond du Lac.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Moraine Park Technical College carry an average student debt load of $6,975.

Read More…

With a ranking of #17, Mountainland Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the suburb of Lehi, Mountainland Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Mountainland Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #18 on the list. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Jefferson Community and Technical College take out $16,579 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#19

Davis Technical College

Kaysville, UT

Davis Technical College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Davis Tech is a small public school located in the suburb of Kaysville.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Davis Tech take out $8,367 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#20

Access Careers

Hempstead, NY

Access Careers ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Access Careers is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hempstead.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Access Careers Report

Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools list. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Antonio.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio accumulate an average of around $16,353 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $107, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Sioux City.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College carry an average student debt load of $13,346.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Western Iowa Tech Community College Report

William Rainey Harper College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Harper College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Palatine.

Practical Nursing majors at Harper College take out an average of $9,400 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at William Rainey Harper College Report

#24

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from JCCC carry an average student debt load of $13,500.

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

With a ranking of #25, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. MATC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

On average, practical nursing graduates from MATC take out $20,394 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Milwaukee Area Technical College Report

#33

Infinity College

Lafayette, LA
#34

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS
#35

Jersey College

Teterboro, NJ
#36

RGV Careers

Pharr, TX
#37

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV
#39

Summit College

Colton, CA
#40

Kaskaskia College

Centralia, IL
#41

Madisonville Community College

Madisonville, KY
#42

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, IL
#46

Access Careers Islandia

Islandia, NY
#47

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA
#49

Highland Community College

Highland, KS

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1276 different United States practical nursing and nursing assistants schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
52 John A Logan College Carterville, IL
53 Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing Rochester, NY
54 Heartland Community College Normal, IL
54 Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GA
56 Institute of Technology Clovis, CA
57 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
58 South Texas College McAllen, TX
59 American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CA
60 Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WI
61 Butler Tech - D Russel Lee Career Center Hamilton, OH
61 Front Range Community College Westminster, CO
63 Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KS
64 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
65 Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka, KS
65 Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KY
67 Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LA
67 City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, IL
67 Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY
67 Snow College Ephraim, UT
71 Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WI
72 Wallace State Community College, Hanceville Hanceville, AL
73 Carrington College, Sacramento Sacramento, CA
74 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
75 Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MS
76 Uintah Basin Technical College Roosevelt, UT
77 AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing Brooklyn, NY
78 Neosho County Community College Chanute, KS
79 Apollo Career Center Lima, OH
80 South Florida Institute of Technology Miami, FL
81 Universidad del Turabo Gurabo, PR
82 American Career College - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
82 Western Technical College La Crosse, WI
84 Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL
85 Northshore Technical Community College Bogalusa, LA
86 Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester McAlester, OK
87 Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln Lincoln, RI
88 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
89 New Age Training New York, NY
90 Sumner College Portland, OR
91 Healthcare Career College Paramount, CA
92 North Central Kansas Technical College Beloit, KS
92 Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown Moorestown, NJ
94 Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA
94 Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, IL
94 Dorsey College, Woodhaven Woodhaven, MI
97 Salina Area Technical College Salina, KS
98 Joliet Junior College Joliet, IL
99 Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OK
100 Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MN
101 Somerset Community College Somerset, KY
101 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA
103 Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
104 Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN
105 Erie 1 BOCES West Seneca, NY
106 Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, IL
107 Parkland College Champaign, IL
107 Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden, UT
109 Ozarka College Melbourne, AR
110 Concorde Career College - Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX
110 Orange Technical College - Orlando Campus Orlando, FL
112 Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing Hicksville, NY
113 Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX
113 McHenry County College Crystal Lake, IL
115 University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton, AR
115 Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA
117 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
117 Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville, KY
117 Northeast Technology Center-System Office Pryor, OK
120 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
121 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
121 American Career College - Anaheim Anaheim, CA
123 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
124 Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NV
125 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
126 Davidson County Community College Thomasville, NC
127 Bridgerland Technical College Logan, UT
128 Vermont Technical College Randolph, VT
128 Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WI
130 High Desert Medical College Lancaster, CA
130 Dodge City Community College Dodge City, KS
132 Pueblo Community College Pueblo, CO
133 Prism Career Institute, Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
133 American Institute of Alternative Medicine Columbus, OH
135 Standard Healthcare Services - College of Nursing Falls Church, VA
135 Garden City Community College Garden City, KS
137 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
137 Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MI
137 Francis Tuttle Technology Center Oklahoma City, OK
140 Southwest Texas Junior College Uvalde, TX
141 Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus Paramus, NJ
142 Arlington Career Institute Grand Prairie, TX
143 Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KY
143 West Georgia Technical College Waco, GA
145 Lanier Technical College Oakwood, GA
145 Rock Valley College Rockford, IL
147 Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LA
147 North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA
147 Coconino Community College Flagstaff, AZ
147 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
151 Homestead Schools Torrance, CA
151 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson Jackson, TN
151 John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL
151 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
155 Eastern Suffolk BOCES Brentwood, NY
155 Collins Career Technical Center Chesapeake, OH
155 Fort Scott Community College Fort Scott, KS
158 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
158 Community College of Denver Denver, CO
160 Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL
160 Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR
162 Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sandersville, GA
163 Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ
164 Orange Technical College - Winter Park Campus Winter Park, FL
164 Sauk Valley Community College Dixon, IL
164 Prism Career Institute, Cherry Hill Cherry Hill, NJ
164 Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VA
164 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN
169 Manhattan Area Technical College Manhattan, KS
169 Prism Career Institute, West Atlantic City West Atlantic City, NJ
171 Emily Griffith Technical College Denver, CO
171 National University College Bayamon, PR
171 Stanbridge University Irvine, CA
174 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson Dickson, TN
175 Stone Academy-West Haven West Haven, CT
175 Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO
175 Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KS
175 Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KY
179 Pratt Community College Pratt, KS
180 Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD
180 Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee Muskogee, OK
180 Albany BOCES - Adult Practical Nursing Program Albany, NY
180 Prairie State College Chicago Heights, IL
184 Aims Community College Greeley, CO
185 Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MN
185 Highland Community College Freeport, IL
185 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX
185 Jones County Junior College Ellisville, MS
185 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
185 Concorde Career College - North Hollywood North Hollywood, CA
185 Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County Newark, OH

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing & Nursing Assistants students that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools award.

Rank College Location
192 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA
193 Savannah Technical College Savannah, GA
193 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
193 Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO
193 Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FL
193 Yavapai College Prescott, AZ
198 Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CA
198 Central Ohio Technical College Newark, OH
200 Nicolet Area Technical College Rhinelander, WI
200 Concorde Career College - San Diego San Diego, CA
202 Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Minden, LA
202 California Nurses Educational Institute Palm Springs, CA
202 Stone Academy-East Hartford East Hartford, CT
205 Angeles College Los Angeles, CA
205 Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno, OK
205 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
208 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
208 Hinds Community College Raymond, MS
208 Sheridan Technical College Hollywood, FL
208 Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin Iselin, NJ
208 Western Nevada College Carson City, NV
213 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
213 MDT College of Health Sciences Highland Heights, OH
213 Southwest Technical College Cedar City, UT
216 Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford Stratford, CT
216 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR
216 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA
216 Arkansas State University - Mountain Home Mountain Home, AR
220 Dorsey College, Roseville Roseville, MI
220 Beckfield College - Tri-County Springdale, OH
220 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY
220 York Technical College Rock Hill, SC
224 Dawn Career Institute LLC Wilmington, DE
224 Moore Norman Technology Center Norman, OK
224 Dixie State University Saint George, UT
224 Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
228 North Central Texas College Gainesville, TX
229 University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope, AR
229 Texas Health School Houston, TX
231 San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX
231 Capital Area School of Practical Nursing Springfield, IL
233 Lorain County Community College Elyria, OH
233 Black Hawk College Moline, IL
233 Medical Institute of Palm Beach Greenacres, FL
233 Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
233 Concorde Career College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA
238 Pearl River Community College Poplarville, MS
238 Lamar State College - Orange Orange, TX
238 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MS
238 Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE
238 Lake Land College Mattoon, IL
243 Concorde Career College - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
243 Olney Central College Olney, IL
243 Unitek College Hayward, CA
243 St Philip’s College San Antonio, TX
243 Richland Community College Decatur, IL
248 Holmes Community College Goodman, MS
248 Athena Career Academy Toledo, OH
248 South College Knoxville, TN
251 Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN
251 Clovis Adult Education Clovis, CA
251 Shawnee Community College Ullin, IL
251 Dixie Technical College Saint George, UT
255 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
255 Rappahannock Community College Glenns, VA
255 South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants by Region

View the Most Popular 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.

  • 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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