2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Connecticut

[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
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
- 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.