by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 8 schools to find the best return on investment for adult health nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
La Salle University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $110,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Gwynedd Mercy College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $82,372. That is a strong return on a $35,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Neumann University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,100. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $32,109 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Neumann University generally make around $82,238. Set against $32,109 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #5 makes Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $100,772. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $60,864. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $22,410 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.