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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Connecticut

3 Colleges in the United States
$28,513 Avg Student Debt
$66,119 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.

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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Connecticut

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Central Connecticut State University the best value for a degree in nursing practice in Connecticut. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $180,640. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $47,559. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

3
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, CT

A rank of #3 makes Post University one of the best values for nursing practice. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $50,494. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.

4

University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $117,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

5
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,278. Students borrow a median of $30,990 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $103,936. Set against $30,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

6

Quinnipiac University came in at #6 for value in nursing practice this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $116,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $119,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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