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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Saint Peters College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,457 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $50,944. Set against $24,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for nursing practice. 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 $103,544. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Wilmington University, which ranked #3. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,333. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $86,703. That is a strong return on a $23,333 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $109,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Towson University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,378. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $80,344. That is a strong return on a $23,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Delaware came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,522. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $98,506. Set against $26,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Coppin State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $36,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $84,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $86,430. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Salisbury University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,297 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $76,477. Set against $24,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #11 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,500. Nursing Practice graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $102,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $107,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $110,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $108,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Liverpool, Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,926. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $40,664. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North earn a median of $71,701 early in their careers. Set against $40,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
La Salle University placed #16 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $110,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $43,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Waynesburg University earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waynesburg. Students from in state pay about $30,480 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $82,878. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College placed #19 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $32,433. Nursing Practice graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #20 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,258. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $138,848. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for nursing practice value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,124 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $82,137. That is a strong return on a $33,124 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Carlow University earned the #22 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $88,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
La Roche College placed #23 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,052 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,135. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $54,268. Set against $31,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for nursing practice. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing practice value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
