2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Associate’s Degree Schools
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Weber State University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $13,670. Nursing Practice graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $61,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Marshall University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,826. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $64,845 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,358 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,752 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $33,892 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $34,287. That is a strong return on a $33,892 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,260. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Alcorn State University earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,266 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $85,255. That is a strong return on a $21,266 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $34,897. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $73,524. That is a strong return on a $34,897 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $66,512. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $12,375. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $54,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,013. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $33,892 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Parma earn a median of $68,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,892 median debt.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #12 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. 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.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $43,831. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $63,969 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. 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. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa generally make around $68,983. Set against $33,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Troy University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,305 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $61,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #17 spot for nursing practice value this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt.
Galen College Of Nursing Louisville placed #18 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Louisville, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $34,859. Nursing Practice graduates of Galen College Of Nursing Louisville earn a median of $63,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,859 median debt.
South College earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $18,535. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $42,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from South College generally make around $76,870. Set against $42,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #20 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,290 to complete the nursing practice program here. 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. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Columbia College Missouri came in at #22 for value in nursing practice this year. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $65,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everest College Henderson came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Las Vegas, Everest College Henderson is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,167 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $75,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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), 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
