2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Millikin University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $58,852. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Governors State University placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,342. Nursing Practice graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $91,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Ferris State University placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,608. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,491. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $118,455. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $95,570. Set against $30,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $88,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $91,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,542. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #16 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,835. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $102,988. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma came in at #18 for value in nursing practice this year. Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,013. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $37,278. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $70,342. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University came in at #19 for value in nursing practice this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $92,233. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in nursing practice this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $78,173. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #23 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $86,743 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa came in at #24 for value in nursing practice this year. Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wauwatosa. Students from in state pay about $20,469 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goshen College landed the #25 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Goshen College generally make around $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing practice:
Narrow Nursing Practice Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
