2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 279 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing administration students.
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Finding the Best Value Nursing Administration School for You
The right nursing administration school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Nursing Administration 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
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Administration Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for nursing administration in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $16,944. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,661 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $18,661 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for nursing administration. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $20,055. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $125,790. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #4 place for nursing administration. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College placed #6 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $21,646 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Set against $21,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Governors University came in at #7 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $93,055. That is a strong return on a $22,660 median debt.
Texas Womans University came in at #8 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $111,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College placed #9 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,687. Nursing Administration graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $105,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,687 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Paris Junior College came in at #11 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #12 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,552. Nursing Administration graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University placed #13 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $77,946. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #14 position for value in nursing administration this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $72,187 early in their careers. Set against $15,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #15 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #16 position for value in nursing administration this year. 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, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Kokomo landed the #17 spot for nursing administration value this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,832. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $92,379 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #18 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $19,743 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #19 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #20 position for value in nursing administration this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #21 position for value in nursing administration this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $107,588. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #22 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,542 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $80,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #23 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $110,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Washington State University placed #24 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $103,901. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Indiana University Southeast placed #25 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,719 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. That is a strong return on a $25,719 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing administration this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 133 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.
