by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing administration schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in nursing administration, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for nursing administration. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes York College Pennsylvania one of the best values for nursing administration. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $110,490 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing administration. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes La Salle University one of the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $54,618. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Carlow University landed the #6 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Wilson College earned the #7 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $41,066. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Wilson College generally make around $58,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
La Roche College earned the #8 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $31,135. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $54,268. That is a strong return on a $31,135 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $33,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $80,844. Set against $33,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Waynesburg University placed #10 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $82,878. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University earned the #11 position for value in nursing administration this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $58,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Alvernia University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,394. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College landed the #13 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $40,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $64,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Immaculata University landed the #14 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Immaculata, Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,980. Students borrow a median of $35,593 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Immaculata University generally make around $105,934. Set against $35,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Immaculata University admits about 86% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #15 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $100,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Desales University came in at #16 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $97,620. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Desales University admits about 77% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $96,167. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Scranton came in at #18 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $22,410. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $137,262. That is a strong return on a $22,410 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Duquesne University landed the #20 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $93,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,933. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,812 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earn a median of $77,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,812 median debt. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences admits about 41% 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.