2027 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[Critical Care Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/critical-care-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong critical care nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value critical care nursing schools.
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2027 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in critical care nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools
The University Of Texas At Tyler tops our 2027 list of the best value 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. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for critical care nursing. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $109,840. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #4 place for critical care nursing. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $21,450. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $92,875. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for critical care nursing value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $25,264. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Augusta University placed #7 among the best values for critical care nursing. 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. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,956. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $56,168. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $87,254. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,106 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $22,106 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #10 for value in critical care nursing this year. 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, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $126,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #11 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $16,824. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $49,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian ranked #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $34,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian admits about 96% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #13 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $103,365. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #14 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $68,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ursuline College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $96,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. 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 $95,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $89,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $106,615. That is a strong return on a $29,881 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $111,869. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #20 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $105,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Herzing University Madison earned the #21 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $103,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Madison admits about 94% of applicants.
King College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,397 in tuition and fees. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
John Dewey College University Division earned the #23 position for value in critical care nursing this year. John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hato Rey. In-state tuition and fees average $8,180. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $5,825. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from John Dewey College University Division generally make around $43,520. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barry University earned the #24 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,350. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Barry University earn a median of $149,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.
Alverno College placed #25 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $110,212. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in critical care nursing:
Other Critical Care Nursing Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Critical Care Nursing rankings across degree levels:
View All Critical Care Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
