4 accredited schools across the McAllen metro area trained 175 nursing assistants in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
This private for-profit two-year college in Hidalgo County graduated 87 CNA students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $800 for a program of about 1 months.
Public four-year institution in McAllen that reported 43 CNA graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,800 ($7,500 out of state).
This private for-profit career school in Hidalgo County graduated 33 CNA students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $11,200.
This price is for a longer program than a typical CNA course; it is classified under the same federal program code. Ask about stand-alone CNA training.
12 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private nonprofit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $14,372 for a program of about 8 months.
4 accredited schools in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area graduated 175 CNA students in 2023–24. The largest was Rio Grande Valley College with 87.
Among schools that published a program price, Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr listed the lowest total: $800 for tuition, books and supplies.
Certified Nursing Assistants in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro earn a median $33,990 a year ($16.34/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $37,500 statewide and $42,260 nationally.
Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more.