2027 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing administration students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Purdue University Northwest tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,552. Nursing Administration graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $93,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $39,231. 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for nursing administration. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $92,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $38,512. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $96,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #5 spot 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. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $77,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $66,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing landed the #7 spot for nursing administration value this year. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $27,600 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University East came in at #8 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $49,598. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. 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, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,542. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University earned the #10 position for value in nursing administration this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,188. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $51,753. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $19,000. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $91,969 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #12 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend placed #13 among the best values for nursing administration. 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. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $47,733. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #14 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,089. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis earned the #15 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. Set against $30,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Governors State University earned the #16 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. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $91,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #17 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $71,404. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #18 position for value in nursing administration this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $118,455. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #19 spot for nursing administration value this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,045 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Cleveland State University earned the #20 position for value in nursing administration this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $78,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #21 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $90,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #22 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $90,378. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Shawnee State University placed #23 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $29,515 in student loans. 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.
Ursuline College landed the #24 spot for nursing administration value this year. Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. Students from in state pay about $38,990 in tuition and fees. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $93,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #25 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $95,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.