by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Ferris State University, our #1 best value for nursing practice in Michigan. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,727. Set against $29,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,542. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,165. 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%.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,081. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Madonna University earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $28,440 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $92,923. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University landed the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,500. Nursing Practice graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $69,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,500. Nursing Practice graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $89,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,014 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,748. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Set against $29,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.