[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 256 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
California State University Fullerton tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $193,133. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $17,938. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $146,559. Set against $17,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $114,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $108,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,800. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $112,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $95,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $103,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,552. Nursing Practice graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $108,669 early in their careers. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,500. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $79,653. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oakland University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,430 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $108,536. Set against $29,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $104,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Weber State University earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $88,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.
San Jose State University placed #15 among the best values for nursing practice. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #16 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $101,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #17 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. 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 $110,592. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #18 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $93,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $27,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Mount Carmel College Of Nursing generally make around $106,506. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #20 for value in nursing practice this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Ferris State University placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. 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. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $80,463. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #22 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $113,564. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Irvine placed #23 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $13,400. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,217. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $117,929. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #25 position for value in nursing practice this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $128,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing practice value ranking:
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 · 256 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 256 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).
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
