2027 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Family Practice Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/family-practice-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family practice nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family practice nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
For return on investment in family practice nurse/nursing, no school beat Purdue University Northwest this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $93,180. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in family practice nurse/nursing will find it at Indiana University Kokomo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $26,832. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Purdue University Global came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $96,363. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Xavier University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $95,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $91,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing came in at #7 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $88,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,890 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $73,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University East ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $92,367 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Wayne State University earned the #11 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,165. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $103,835. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,063. Set against $20,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #13 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,412 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $86,559. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #14 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Youngstown State University landed the #15 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $106,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #16 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,700. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $94,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University landed the #17 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $68,846. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #19 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $71,404. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,411. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #22 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $95,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Goshen College earned the #23 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #24 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $90,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #25 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $90,378. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for family practice nurse/nursing this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.