2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Adult Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/adult-health-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 108 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the adult health nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $103,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $78,671. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #4 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $17,125. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $110,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,408. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $68,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. 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. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,188 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,753. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #8 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,089. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $44,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
National University College Bayamon came in at #10 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $17,168. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from National University College Bayamon generally make around $22,898. That is a strong return on a $17,168 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University placed #11 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $68,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Southern Maine placed #12 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $47,003. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Wilmington University came in at #13 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $23,333 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,333 median debt.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #14 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $56,541. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Youngstown State University placed #15 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $65,668. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Peters College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $24,457. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,259. That is a strong return on a $24,457 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Worcester State University placed #17 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $75,249. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #19 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $91,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Purdue University Global earned the #20 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. 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 $42,396 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $78,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #21 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earned the #22 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. 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. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $69,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $92,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas earned the #25 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s adult health nurse/nursing value ranking:
Other Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Degree Levels
Explore the best-value adult health nurse/nursing schools at other degree levels:
View All Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 2 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.
