2026 Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Geriatric Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/geriatric-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geriatric nurse/nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for geriatric nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geriatric nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $89,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #2 place for geriatric nurse/nursing. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $38,512. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,363. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in geriatric nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $39,231. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $108,929. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geriatric nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for geriatric nurse/nursing. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $91,969. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $102,988. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Alverno College earned the #8 position for value in geriatric nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $34,000. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $55,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Madison landed the #9 spot for geriatric nurse/nursing value this year. Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Students borrow a median of $37,747 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $90,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $80,108. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne landed the #11 spot for geriatric nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,570 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $82,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University landed the #12 spot for geriatric nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,748 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $89,684. Set against $29,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Franklin University placed #13 among the best values for geriatric nurse/nursing. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Malone University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,160 in tuition and fees. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $32,055 in student loans. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates of Malone University earn a median of $84,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,055 median debt. Malone University admits about 76% of applicants.
Marian University Wisconsin earned the #15 position for value in geriatric nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates of Marian University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Edgewood College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $73,249. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint Marys College generally make around $74,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #18 position for value in geriatric nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $58,568. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $26,580. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $112,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
