2027 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult health nurse/nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools.
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2027 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast 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
For return on investment in adult health nurse/nursing, no school beat Florida International University this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $18,895. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $102,793. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,163. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. Set against $23,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
East Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #6 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,825. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $86,547 early in their careers. Set against $23,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Georgia State University placed #7 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,215 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $94,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Louisville came in at #8 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $58,534. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas came in at #9 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,327 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #10 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $49,826. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Georgia College And State University landed the #11 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #12 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,347 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $87,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Ouachita Baptist University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Ouachita Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,500. Students borrow a median of $23,520 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $35,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University New Orleans placed #14 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,606. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $48,040. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Students borrow a median of $29,161 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $98,345. That is a strong return on a $29,161 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Students borrow a median of $26,596 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Methodist University earned the #17 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,250. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $70,746. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
South Universitysavannah Online earned the #18 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Savannah, South Universitysavannah Online is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $41,815. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of South Universitysavannah Online earn a median of $97,960 early in their careers. Set against $41,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Duke University landed the #19 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Duke University earn a median of $116,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tampa ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,408. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 20 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.
