2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southeast 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing administration students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of North Georgia tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools in the Southeast Region. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $19,743 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #2 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $95,753. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #3 makes Marshall University one of the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $110,391. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Old Dominion University, which ranked #4. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for nursing administration. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $48,847. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $75,849. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,710. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $67,929. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in nursing administration this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,264. Nursing Administration graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $96,898 early in their careers. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University placed #9 among the best values for nursing administration. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $18,349. Nursing Administration graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $18,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of South Alabama came in at #10 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $100,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kentucky State University came in at #11 for value in nursing administration this year. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $29,774. Nursing Administration graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #12 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $91,470. That is a strong return on a $25,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
East Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in nursing administration this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $45,444. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #14 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $85,443. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Louisville landed the #15 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $23,205. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $68,762 early in their careers. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
William Carey University came in at #16 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College earned the #18 position for value in nursing administration this year. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,814. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences came in at #19 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Concord, Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,550 in tuition and fees. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $24,968 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $72,592. Set against $24,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #20 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $13,975. Nursing Administration graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #21 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,375. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $70,403. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #22 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $51,197 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University earned the #23 position for value in nursing administration this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Carson Newman College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,000. Nursing Administration graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #25 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $103,788. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing administration:
Narrow Nursing Administration Schools by State
More Nursing Administration Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
