2026 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[Critical Care Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/critical-care-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong critical care nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value critical care nursing schools.
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2026 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
Leading the list is University Of Mississippi Main Campus, our #1 best value for critical care nursing in the United States. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $92,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $146,348. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in critical care nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,106. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at The University Of Texas At Tyler, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $55,134. Set against $24,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $87,254. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis earned the #6 position for value in critical care nursing this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University came in at #7 for value in critical care nursing this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,956. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo placed #8 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $61,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #9 for value in critical care nursing 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. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $49,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Toledo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $82,622. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #12 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $109,840. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College landed the #13 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $110,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University came in at #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $103,365. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Louisville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $58,534. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #16 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $28,625. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $95,690. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ursuline College came in at #17 for value in critical care nursing this year. Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. In-state tuition and fees average $38,990. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $96,932. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Madison ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. 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.
Grand Canyon University earned the #19 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. 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. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $89,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Regis University earned the #21 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $29,427. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $72,028. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #22 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $96,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Barry University landed the #23 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Upstate Medical University landed the #24 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Upstate Medical University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,038 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,878 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Upstate Medical University earn a median of $76,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,064 median debt.
Cedar Crest College placed #25 among the best values for critical care nursing. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,518 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $80,844. That is a strong return on a $33,518 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 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
Explore the best-value critical care nursing schools at other degree levels:
View All Critical Care Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
