by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong pre-nursing studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 133 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-nursing studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-nursing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
South College earned the #1 spot for value among pre-nursing studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $24,533. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $51,389. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Great Falls earned it the #2 place for pre-nursing studies. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from University Of Great Falls generally make around $104,670. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi College earned it the #3 place for pre-nursing studies. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $25,510. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $47,611. Set against $25,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-nursing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Saint Thomas University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,770. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $24,955. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Saint Thomas University generally make around $55,292. That is a strong return on a $24,955 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #6 spot for pre-nursing studies value this year. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $44,857. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University placed #7 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $28,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $27,250. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $49,072 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Pre-Nursing Studies rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.