2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult health nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #2 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing 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, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $38,512. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,363. That is a strong return on a $38,512 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing landed the #7 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $88,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
O C Collins Career Center earned the #8 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Chesapeake, O C Collins Career Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,629. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of O C Collins Career Center earn a median of $52,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alverno College landed the #9 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $91,109 early in their careers. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #10 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school located in the city of Steubenville. Students from in state pay about $4,225 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madonna University landed the #11 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $92,923 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College earned the #13 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $93,515. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #14 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $90,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #15 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,625. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $83,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University earned the #16 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,013. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $60,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing 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. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $109,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,750. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $87,324 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #19 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,536. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $109,135. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Depaul University came in at #20 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $140,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Marquette University came in at #21 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $22,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $86,752. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #22 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $111,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
