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2023 Best Value Colleges for Nursing Practice

268 Ranked Colleges
7,992 Degrees Awarded
$24,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 7,992 people earned their degree in nursing practice, making the major the 105th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools” ranking looked at 268 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing practice. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing practice programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing practice program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Practice Schools

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The nursing practice school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Practice Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing Practice

1
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 368 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

Grand Canyon University excels when it comes to nursing practice quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for nursing practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Canyon University Nursing Practice Report

2
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Seattle University
Seattle, Washington

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Seattle University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. This medium-sized school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 3 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

Seattle U also took the #9 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking. It costs about $35,109 for nursing practice students per year to attend Seattle University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Seattle U Nursing Practice Report

3
Top 10% in overall quality
$77,418 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools. This small school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 14 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UT Health San Antonio also did well on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Nursing Practice at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

4
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 171 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

Capella University also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Capella University is $16,545 for Nursing Practice students.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Capella University

5
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Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wilmington University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. This fairly large school is located in New Castle, Delaware, and it awarded 37 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,186 for nursing practice students per year to attend Wilmington University.

Full Wilmington University Nursing Practice Report

6
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La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. La Salle is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for La Salle University is $25,819 for nursing practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at La Salle University

7

Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 565 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

Chamberlain - Illinois also made our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $28,605 for Nursing Practice students per year to attend Chamberlain University - Illinois.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Chamberlain - Illinois

8
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 25% in overall quality
$55,437 Average Early-Career Earnings

Walden University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Walden University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 143 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Walden University

9
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Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking, coming in at #9. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

Creighton also made our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Creighton is $31,218 for nursing practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Creighton University

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 75 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,462 for nursing practice students per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

10

With a ranking of #10, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 31 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for nursing practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Nursing Practice Report

12

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. TTUHSC is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

TTUHSC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

13
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, Washington

Gonzaga University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

Gonzaga excels when it comes to nursing practice quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Gonzaga University is $34,451 for nursing practice students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Gonzaga

14

The University of Texas Medical Branch came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. The University of Texas Medical Branch is a public institution located in Galveston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UTMB Galveston also took the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full The University of Texas Medical Branch Nursing Practice Report

15

Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Maryville University of Saint Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 44 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Maryville U is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis is $27,290 for Nursing Practice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Nursing Practice Report

16

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is a private not-for-profit institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Nebraska Methodist College is $24,108 for nursing practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

17
PLNU crest
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. Point Loma Nazarene University is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 9 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend PLNU is $34,575 for nursing practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full PLNU Nursing Practice Report

18
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

Union University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $29,990 for Nursing Practice students per year to attend Union University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Union Nursing Practice Report

19
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Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Viterbo University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing practice degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Viterbo University is $20,201 for nursing practice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Viterbo

20
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University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. University of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Mary is $18,572 for Nursing Practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Mary Nursing Practice Report

21
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

With a ranking of #21, Samford University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. Samford is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 25 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our nursing practice students list, Samford has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Samford University is $30,072 for nursing practice students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Samford University Nursing Practice Report

22
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking, coming in at #22. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing practice degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Bradley also did well on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $25,196 for Nursing Practice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Bradley

23
University of Scranton crest
University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Scranton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking, coming in at #23. University of Scranton is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Scranton is $34,378 for nursing practice students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Scranton Nursing Practice Report

24
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. University of Southern Mississippi is a fairly large school located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that handed out 28 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,032 for nursing practice students per year to attend Southern Miss.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Nursing Practice Report

25
Top 20% in overall quality
$66,760 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #25, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a small school located in Little Rock, Arkansas that handed out 35 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UAMS is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Rest of the Best 41 in Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa
27
28
29
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
30
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Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
31
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
32
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
33
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
34
Fairfield U crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, Connecticut
35
Augsburg crest
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
36
37
38
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana
39
King crest
King University
Bristol, Tennessee
40
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
41
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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