2026 Best Value Nursing Education Master’s Degree 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 273 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 Texas Womans University the best value for a degree in nursing education in the United States. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $101,837. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing education will find it at Western Governors University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,277. Nursing Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing education will find it at Suny Empire State College, which ranked #3. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for nursing education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $25,735. Nursing Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the nursing education program here. 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. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #8 among the best values for nursing education. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #9 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,465. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #10 for value in nursing education this year. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Students borrow a median of $21,056 to complete the nursing education program here. Nursing Education graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,056 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #11 spot for nursing education value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $106,556. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
Purdue University Global ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $92,468. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #13 among the best values for nursing education. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,917. Nursing Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $72,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #14 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $21,632. 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.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #15 position for value in nursing education this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $75,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
National University College Bayamon came in at #16 for value in nursing education this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $14,583. Nursing Education graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $36,905 early in their careers. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $140,982. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Clarkson College landed the #18 spot for nursing education value this year. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $30,052 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Clarkson College earn a median of $77,377 early in their careers. Set against $30,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wilmington University landed the #19 spot for nursing education value this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Framingham State University landed the #20 spot for nursing education value this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $108,704. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,214, while out-of-state students pay about $22,514. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $76,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stony Brook University placed #22 among the best values for nursing education. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $115,213. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #23 among the best values for nursing education. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $75,660. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #24 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $32,807. Nursing Education graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $82,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi landed the #25 spot for nursing education value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,772, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $48,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Nursing Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing education this year:
Other Nursing Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nursing education schools at other degree levels:
View All Nursing Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
