2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among nursing administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #2 place for nursing administration. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,832 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $92,379 early in their careers. Set against $26,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,719. 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. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,408. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $95,130. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University East placed #6 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East 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 $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $92,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Governors State University earned the #7 position for value in nursing administration this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,087. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #8 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,412 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ferris State University earned the #9 position for value in nursing administration this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $77,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #10 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,089. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,255. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $39,231 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $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 Michigan Ann Arbor placed #12 among the best values for nursing administration. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $19,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,969. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #13 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,512 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $96,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #14 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $23,043. Nursing Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $118,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #15 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,045. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $70,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing landed the #16 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $88,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #17 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $91,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mercy College Of Ohio came in at #18 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Toledo, Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,345. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $33,674. Nursing Administration graduates of Mercy College Of Ohio earn a median of $71,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College Of Ohio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of St Francis landed the #19 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $30,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $94,166. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Cleveland State University placed #20 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $78,173. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #21 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $90,378. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee State University landed the #22 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $29,515 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Toledo earned the #23 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $76,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #24 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $95,267. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Siena Heights University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,778. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing administration value ranking:
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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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
