2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Southeast Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,070. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $88,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,546 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $127,776. Set against $19,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,743 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $87,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $102,793. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,701. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Marshall University placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $110,391. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,026. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,154. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University placed #13 among the best values for nursing practice. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,082 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $127,240. That is a strong return on a $25,082 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,353 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,665. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #16 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,710. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Set against $29,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mississippi University For Women ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Students borrow a median of $19,260 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,373. That is a strong return on a $19,260 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $27,301 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $83,847. That is a strong return on a $27,301 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $87,237. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #20 among the best values for nursing practice. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $79,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama came in at #21 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $69,449 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #22 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $135,203. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Shepherd University earned the #23 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,206 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $75,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,206 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $18,752. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $37,278 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $34,287. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $91,554. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing practice this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
