2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Master’s Degree Schools
[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 370 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 United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $193,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,895. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $22,452. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $108,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #4. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #5. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of California Irvine placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,063. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $102,476 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $93,594. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $79,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $110,592 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,800. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $112,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,552. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,026. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $99,792. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #16 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,681. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #17 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $113,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $104,997. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $101,465. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Weber State University landed the #20 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $88,691. Set against $15,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $96,796. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $15,308. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $113,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,163 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $106,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Holy Family University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $123,725. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Governors State University placed #25 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $101,783. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing practice this year:
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), 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 · 370 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
