2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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 Holy Family University this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $103,544. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Saint Peters College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,457 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $50,944. Set against $24,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Wilmington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $23,333 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $86,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #4. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,522 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $98,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Towson University earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,378 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Towson University earn a median of $80,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,378 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $107,413. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Salisbury University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,297. 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.
Coppin State University landed the #9 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,369 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $84,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $108,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in nursing practice this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $138,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North placed #13 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Liverpool, Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,926 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,256 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North earn a median of $31,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $81,885. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $110,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Daemen College placed #16 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $32,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $63,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #17 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $102,576. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
La Salle University placed #18 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. Students from in state pay about $37,800 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 $110,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $33,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $82,137. That is a strong return on a $33,124 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $58,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Carlow University landed the #22 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $88,311. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
La Roche College earned the #23 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University earned the #24 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $127,183. That is a strong return on a $29,485 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University placed #25 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,370. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,622. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Misericordia University admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing practice value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.