2026 Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools
[Pre-Nursing Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-nursing-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 133 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pre-nursing studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies School for You
The pre-nursing studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies 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.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-nursing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools
Trident Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $17,239 in student loans. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $17,239 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-nursing studies. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coahoma Community College earned it the #3 place for pre-nursing studies. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $21,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in pre-nursing studies will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #4. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Grayson College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Navajo Technical College earned the #6 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Crownpoint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,498. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,364.
East Mississippi Community College placed #7 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.
Palau Community College came in at #8 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Located in Koror, PW, Palau Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,730, with out-of-state students paying around $3,970. Median earnings reach $29,898 ten years out.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #9 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Midlands Technical College placed #10 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $30,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $10,671. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College landed the #12 spot for pre-nursing studies value this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $21,326. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #13 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $18,744. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $30,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $55,262. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College came in at #15 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Students borrow a median of $13,925 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #16 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College came in at #17 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Set in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $6,024 for out-of-state students. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $57,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenfield Community College earned the #19 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $12,269 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,269 median debt.
Galveston College landed the #20 spot for pre-nursing studies value this year. Set in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,726, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $15,183. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Galveston College earn a median of $51,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College earned the #21 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $14,068. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $32,840. That is a strong return on a $14,068 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #22 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $40,559. Set against $13,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College earned the #23 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Students borrow a median of $14,740 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $61,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,740 median debt.
Connors State College earned the #24 position for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $16,071. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $47,964. That is a strong return on a $16,071 median debt.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home placed #25 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,097 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pre-nursing studies this year:
Narrow Pre-Nursing Studies Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Pre-Nursing Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
