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Puerto Rico dominates the most affordable nursing assistant education market with six Caribbean University campuses charging net prices between $6,310 and $7,635. The earnings gap tells a striking story across these 11 programs, ranging from $14,935 at Caribbean University locations to $101,221 at St. Joseph's University in Brooklyn. Healthcare employment continues expanding nationwide, with nursing assistants serving as essential support staff in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. While some programs cost under $7,000, others like York College of Pennsylvania reach $19,685, creating clear regional price divisions that reflect both local economies and program structures.
11
Programs
$6,310 – $19,685
Net Price Range
$30,704
Avg. Program Earnings
48.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,310 $5,966 62.5%
2 $6,326 54.9%
3 $6,392 $5,966 36.7%
4 $6,680 $5,966 41.7%
5 $7,635 $5,966 44.0%
6 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
7 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
8 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
9 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
10 $17,622 $34,535 64.2% 76.7%
11 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings difference between the lowest and highest-paying programs?

Caribbean University graduates earn $14,935 annually while St. Joseph's University graduates in Brooklyn earn $101,221, reflecting major regional wage variations. Puerto Rico's lower cost of living translates to correspondingly lower healthcare wages, while New York's competitive market demands higher compensation for nursing support roles.

How do graduation rates compare between the most affordable options?

Caribbean University-Vega Baja leads with a 62.5% graduation rate despite charging just $6,310 net price. Other Caribbean University campuses show rates between 36.7% and 44%, while Universal Technology College reports 54.9% completion at a similar $6,326 price point.

Is debt load manageable for graduates entering this field?

Caribbean University students graduate with $15,250 in debt but earn only $14,935 annually, creating immediate financial pressure. Universidad Ana G. Mendez students face $28,798 debt against $23,262 earnings, while specific debt data remains unavailable for higher-earning mainland programs.

Where can students find the best value combination of cost and outcomes?

Caribbean University-Vega Baja offers the strongest package with $6,310 net cost and 62.5% graduation rate. University of Nevada-Las Vegas provides mainland access at $10,011 with a 50.1% graduation rate and 85.31% acceptance rate for students seeking geographic flexibility.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.