2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Associate’s Degree Schools
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 370 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Weber State University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the United States. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $13,670. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $61,785. Set against $13,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $65,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for nursing practice. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $64,845. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,752. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $33,892 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $70,358. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,260. Nursing Practice graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $87,373 early in their careers. Set against $19,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Troy University placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,305. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $61,890. That is a strong return on a $29,305 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Alcorn State University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,266. Nursing Practice graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $85,255 early in their careers. Set against $21,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $68,346. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,013. Students borrow a median of $33,892 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Parma earn a median of $68,983 early in their careers. Set against $33,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College landed the #13 spot for nursing practice value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa placed #14 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,469. Students borrow a median of $33,892 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $68,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Icpr Junior College Manati earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. Icpr Junior College Manati is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Icpr Junior College Manati generally make around $10,086.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University came in at #17 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,897 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $73,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,897 median debt.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,468. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $68,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne placed #20 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $64,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Columbia College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,768. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everest College Henderson placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Las Vegas, Everest College Henderson is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,176. Students borrow a median of $32,167 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Everest College Henderson generally make around $75,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,933. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,498 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $74,676. That is a strong return on a $27,498 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Other Nursing Practice Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nursing practice schools at other degree levels:
View All Nursing Practice Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 370 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
