2026 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
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $103,028 early in their careers. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $73,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $17,938. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $96,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,895. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $77,883. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $11,674. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $77,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $72,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $76,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $73,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Texas Womans University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $76,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $68,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #13 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,552 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $22,030. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $69,997. That is a strong return on a $22,030 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $75,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. 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. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $73,229. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
San Jose State University placed #18 among the best values for nursing practice. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $72,429. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #20 for value in nursing practice this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $70,964. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Weber State University landed the #21 spot for nursing practice value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $17,811. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $66,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #22 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $15,308. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $94,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #23 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,026. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $71,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,026 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. 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. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,743. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $75,412 early in their careers. Set against $19,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Holy Family University came in at #25 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $83,363. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% 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:
Other Nursing Practice Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nursing practice schools at other degree levels:
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 10 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.
[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.
