2027 Best Value Nursing Education Schools
[Nursing Education](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing education students.
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Finding the Best Value Nursing Education School for You
Where you study nursing education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Nursing Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Nursing Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Xavier University the best value for a degree in nursing education in the United States. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $26,988. Nursing Education graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #4 place for nursing education. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,277. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #7 among the best values for nursing education. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $24,211. Nursing Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $101,837 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Worcester State University landed the #8 spot for nursing education value this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Washington State University landed the #9 spot for nursing education value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $21,903. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #10 for value in nursing education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $95,799. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best values for nursing education. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the nursing education program here. Nursing Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $97,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Idaho State University placed #12 among the best values for nursing education. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $24,640. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for value in nursing education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $13,975. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Purdue University Global ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $92,468. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mercy College came in at #16 for value in nursing education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $28,304. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $140,982. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #17 spot for nursing education value this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Wayne State University earned the #18 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #19 position for value in nursing education this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $75,886. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #20 spot for nursing education value this year. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $21,475 to complete the nursing education program here. Nursing Education graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $75,609 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in nursing education this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $106,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing education schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,465. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Maine placed #24 among the best values for nursing education. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
William Carey University landed the #25 spot for nursing education value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $85,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing education this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked 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 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.
