2027 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools
[Critical Care Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/critical-care-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value critical care nursing schools.
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Finding the Best Value Critical Care Nursing School for You
Where you study critical care nursing affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the critical care nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #1 spot for value among critical care nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $24,356. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $21,450. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $91,554. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in critical care nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for critical care nursing. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Critical Care 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.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $27,168 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #6 for value in critical care nursing this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $51,931. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of San Sebastian, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,125. Students borrow a median of $16,725 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $27,941. Set against $16,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Augusta University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,956 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,106 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,106 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #10 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $25,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona earned the #11 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $96,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #12 for value in critical care nursing this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $90,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $23,000. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $117,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Winona State University placed #14 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $26,252. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $101,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas generally make around $16,039. That is a strong return on a $5,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo landed the #16 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $38,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Louisville came in at #17 for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $68,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Ursuline College landed the #18 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $93,515. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #19 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $26,117. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $15,130. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $98,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #21 among the best values for critical care nursing. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $83,999 early in their careers. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cedar Crest College placed #22 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,518 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Set against $33,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #23 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $103,656. Set against $29,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University earned the #24 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Madison placed #25 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $90,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in critical care nursing:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 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.
