2027 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Mississippi Main Campus the best value for a degree in nursing administration in the Southeast Region. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at University Of North Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,743 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $87,563. That is a strong return on a $19,743 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Upstate earned it the #5 place for nursing administration. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,250. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $75,849 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $13,975. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #7 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,710. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $67,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University landed the #8 spot for nursing administration value this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,093. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $91,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #9 among the best values for nursing administration. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $95,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #11 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #12 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University earned the #13 position for value in nursing administration this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $73,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University earned the #14 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #15 among the best values for nursing administration. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
East Tennessee State University landed the #16 spot for nursing administration value this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Set against $25,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama placed #17 among the best values for nursing administration. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences came in at #18 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,550. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,968. Nursing Administration graduates of Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $72,592 early in their careers. Set against $24,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences admits about 23% of applicants.
University Of Louisville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #20 spot for nursing administration value 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. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $29,750. Nursing Administration graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Gardner Webb University came in at #21 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $22,461 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,461 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #22 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $21,911. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $98,091. Set against $21,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Claflin University landed the #23 spot for nursing administration value this year. Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $76,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #24 among the best values for nursing administration. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buckhannon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $103,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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
View All Nursing Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
