2026 Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Master’s Degree Schools
[Nurse Anesthetist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nurse-anesthetist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nurse anesthetist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for nurse anesthetist students.
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2026 Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nurse anesthetist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among nurse anesthetist schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $16,944. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $18,750. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $116,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for nurse anesthetist. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $141,941. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #5 place for nurse anesthetist. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $39,231 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $118,273 early in their careers. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Youngstown State University earned the #6 position for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $146,348. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #7 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $26,000. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #8 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $23,558. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $150,889 early in their careers. Set against $23,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wayne State University placed #9 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $128,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $26,053. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $117,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Clarkson College landed the #11 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $16,104 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $31,289. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $110,628. Set against $31,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #12 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $29,000. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $115,393. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #13 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $105,103. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #14 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. Set against $21,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Augusta University placed #15 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $22,956 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Set against $22,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo landed the #16 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $61,321. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #17 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Newman University landed the #18 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $208,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #19 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $110,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Iowa placed #20 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #21 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $40,188 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $228,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $40,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Our Lady Of The Lake College landed the #22 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $17,959 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,565 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $142,312. That is a strong return on a $39,565 median debt. Our Lady Of The Lake College admits about 99% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #23 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $24,375. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $97,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #24 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $54,618. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #25 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,822, with out-of-state students paying around $19,662. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $22,023. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Suny Downstate Medical Center earn a median of $100,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,023 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nurse anesthetist value ranking:
Other Nurse Anesthetist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Nurse Anesthetist rankings across degree levels:
View All Nurse Anesthetist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
