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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Holy Family University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,544. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at York College Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Nursing Practice graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $110,490 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at La Salle University earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $110,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $33,124. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $82,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. 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, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Carlow University came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $88,311 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
La Roche College earned the #8 position for value in nursing practice this year. La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,052. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,135 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,268. That is a strong return on a $31,135 median debt. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
Gannon University landed the #9 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,485 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $127,183. Set against $29,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $91,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Waynesburg University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,480. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $82,878. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Robert Morris University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $85,290. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gwynedd Mercy College earned the #13 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,838 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $35,500. Nursing Practice graduates of Gwynedd Mercy College earn a median of $65,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Messiah College placed #14 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 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 Messiah College generally make around $73,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Wilkes University landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,813 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $112,923. That is a strong return on a $28,813 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #16 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $101,632. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University placed #17 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $77,394. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $97,620. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $96,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Scranton placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $110,446. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Duquesne University landed the #22 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $93,144. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earned the #23 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,933. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,812. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $77,077. Set against $26,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $123,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Villanova University landed the #25 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $105,829. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.