2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 62 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Purdue University Northwest, our #1 best value for nursing practice in the Great Lakes Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $93,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,290. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,430. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,727. Set against $29,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. 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. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $77,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Saginaw Valley State University one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $50,012. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,408. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $30,165 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $103,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,255. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #10 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,155 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $95,570. That is a strong return on a $30,155 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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%.
Governors State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $91,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis came in at #13 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,700 in student loans. 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. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $91,263. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Andrews University landed the #16 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $69,542. Set against $31,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $118,455. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma earned the #19 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $20,013. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $37,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Parma generally make around $70,342. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State University placed #20 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $78,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Goshen College earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice 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. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University landed the #22 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #23 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $86,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #24 among the best values for nursing practice. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earned the #25 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,469. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $37,278. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.
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
More Nursing Practice Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
