2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 279 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing administration schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, 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 $103,692. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $18,661. Nursing Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $101,531 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $75,009 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $11,674. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $21,646. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. That is a strong return on a $21,646 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University came in at #7 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $22,660. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $85,861. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for nursing administration. 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. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $76,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in nursing administration 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. 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.
Suny Empire State College earned the #10 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,687. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $94,830. Set against $24,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $24,552 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $51,424. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University placed #12 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $25,196 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #13 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $72,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Weber State University came in at #14 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $17,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $66,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #15 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $74,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #16 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $68,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #17 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,458. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of North Georgia landed the #18 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,743 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $19,743 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #19 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $68,945. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Northeastern State University came in at #20 for value in nursing administration this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,542. Nursing Administration graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $80,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Rhode Island College came in at #21 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $73,235 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, 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 $83,894. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #23 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Xavier University earned the #24 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,188 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $78,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $69,176 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing administration value ranking:
Other Nursing Administration Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nursing administration schools at other degree levels:
View All Nursing Administration 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 · 279 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.
