2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
[Adult Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/adult-health-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult health nurse/nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools to find the best return on investment for adult health nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing School for You
The adult health nurse/nursing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in adult health nurse/nursing in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,258 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $132,090. Set against $17,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,525. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $89,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,455. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $102,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #8 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $56,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,089. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University earned the #10 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,188. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Carolina University landed the #11 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,163. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $23,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
National University College Bayamon earned the #12 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $14,418. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $26,044. Set against $14,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University earned the #13 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $106,008 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #14 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College came in at #15 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,457 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $108,494 early in their careers. Set against $24,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University came in at #16 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,333 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Set against $23,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #17 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $109,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Purdue University Global ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,512 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $96,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University placed #19 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,849. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $75,249. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #20 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing landed the #21 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,600. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #22 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $53,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #23 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,500. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $56,289. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #24 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,264. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #25 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $107,413. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for adult health nurse/nursing this year:
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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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
