2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Georgia
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Georgia
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
University Of North Georgia tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools in Georgia. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,743 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $87,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,743 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. 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. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,301. Nursing Practice graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $83,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Georgia College And State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $83,590. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Brenau University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,757. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $42,187. Nursing Practice graduates of Brenau University earn a median of $91,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer University earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $29,161 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
South University Savannah earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Savannah, South University Savannah is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $41,815 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from South University Savannah generally make around $63,382. That is a strong return on a $41,815 median debt.
South Universitysavannah Online came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Savannah, South Universitysavannah Online is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $41,815 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from South Universitysavannah Online generally make around $97,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
