2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[Adult Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/adult-health-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 108 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult health nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in adult health nurse/nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $16,944. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. 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. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. 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 $114,379. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $110,592 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #6 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, compared with $21,215 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 Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 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. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,455. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $20,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. 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, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $101,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #9 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $146,348 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,163 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,188. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,753. That is a strong return on a $27,188 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #12 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,242. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #13 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $127,638. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wilmington University landed the #14 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $23,333 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Set against $23,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University College Bayamon ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $14,418. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $38,330. That is a strong return on a $14,418 median debt.
Purdue University Global placed #16 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $107,024. That is a strong return on a $38,512 median debt.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing placed #17 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $27,600. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Mount Carmel College Of Nursing generally make around $106,506. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Worcester State University placed #18 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Clarkson College earned the #19 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,289. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $77,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #22 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $122,569 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Georgia State University came in at #23 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,215. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $102,984. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #24 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #25 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $136,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
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:
Other Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing rankings across degree levels:
View All Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 45 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.
