by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing administration schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in nursing administration, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,657. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #2 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $39,231 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $108,929. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $91,542. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $91,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #5 makes Siena Heights University one of the best values for nursing administration. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $77,581 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $92,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University landed the #7 spot for nursing administration value this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Students from in state pay about $34,014 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,748 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $89,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.