2027 Best Value Forensic Nursing Schools
[Forensic Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/forensic-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value forensic nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Forensic Nursing School for You
The forensic nursing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Forensic 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Forensic Nursing Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Forensic Nursing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forensic nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forensic Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for forensic nursing in the United States. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Forensic Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career forensic nursing graduates make about $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for forensic nursing. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Forensic Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic nursing degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $45,448. That is a strong return on a $35,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in forensic nursing will find it at Kent State University At Kent, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $28,625 to complete the forensic nursing program here. Soon after graduation, forensic nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Forensic Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $98,675. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in forensic nursing will find it at Desales University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Typical student debt for forensic nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, forensic nursing degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $97,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Xavier University came in at #6 for value in forensic nursing this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Forensic Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic nursing degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $78,516. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Narrow Forensic Nursing Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Forensic Nursing. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
