[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 332 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
Finding the Best Value Nursing Practice School for You
The right nursing practice school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Nursing Practice Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Practice Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $17,375. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $156,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $138,832. Set against $17,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $101,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,895. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #6 for value in nursing practice this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,070. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $105,610. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $116,277. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $93,180. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,800. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $88,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,290. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,546. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $127,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #14 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $91,154 early in their careers. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $88,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,379 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
San Jose State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $103,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas Womans University earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $111,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,743 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $87,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,743 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Ferris State University landed the #21 spot for nursing practice value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $77,657 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $15,741. Nursing Practice graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $72,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,484 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $75,870. That is a strong return on a $18,484 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $102,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing practice:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Nursing Practice. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 332 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 332 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).
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
