2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Master’s Degree Schools
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 279 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing administration students.
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 California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for nursing administration in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $139,841. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $116,512 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $20,055. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $150,048. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #5 place for nursing administration. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $102,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $24,687 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $116,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Governors University earned the #7 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $100,249 early in their careers. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $110,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the best values for nursing administration. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #10 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,089. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $113,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #11 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,552. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #12 among the best values for nursing administration. 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, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. 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 $104,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,379 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rhode Island College placed #13 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $141,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University earned the #14 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,196. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,946. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University came in at #15 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 $15,741 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,691. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #16 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. 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 $91,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $23,043 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $118,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #18 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $21,500. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $114,619. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University East landed the #19 spot for nursing administration value this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $112,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #20 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $39,231 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $118,273. That is a strong return on a $39,231 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #21 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $118,061. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University placed #22 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $111,974. That is a strong return on a $27,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Governors State University placed #23 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,342 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $101,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #24 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. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,188. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $92,824. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia placed #25 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $19,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Nursing Administration rankings across degree levels:
View All Nursing Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 117 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.
