2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Kentucky
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $102,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,082 in student loans. 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. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,665 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $84,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,685 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Louisville came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,205. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $68,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Galen College Of Nursing Louisville landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $40,317 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $63,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $102,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University earned the #8 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,800. Nursing Practice graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $81,384 early in their careers. Set against $30,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,750. Nursing Practice graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $81,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
