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 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing administration schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools in Ohio. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $27,600. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami University Hamilton earned it the #2 place for nursing administration. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $71,404. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Cleveland State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Shawnee State University one of the best values for nursing administration. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. 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. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $42,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Ursuline College, which ranked #5. 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. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $93,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #6 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College Of Ohio ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,345. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $33,674. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Mercy College Of Ohio generally make around $71,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #8 among the best values for nursing administration. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,625. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in nursing administration this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,778. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $80,108. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,234. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $70,365. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Cedarville University came in at #11 for value in nursing administration this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Franklin University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $35,890. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $57,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #13 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Xavier University landed the #14 spot for nursing administration value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $55,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.