2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in New York

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for adult health nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in New York
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among adult health nurse/nursing schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. 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 $121,767. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. 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. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. 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. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Saint Josephs College New York, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $116,635. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Stony Brook University landed the #6 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $117,350. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #7 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $110,839 early in their careers. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. Students borrow a median of $32,433 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $90,276. That is a strong return on a $32,433 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $100,425. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
The Sage Colleges ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $38,164 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $92,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Sage Colleges admits about 53% of applicants.
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #11 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,450. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $112,801. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #12 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $115,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College landed the #13 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. 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 $137,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Saint John Fisher College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,190. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $88,526. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint John Fisher College admits about 66% of applicants.
Adelphi University earned the #15 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $124,565 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Rochester earned the #16 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $89,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Pace University New York came in at #17 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $137,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #18 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $138,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hofstra University landed the #19 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $24,848. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $132,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.