by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Marshall University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in West Virginia. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $110,391. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Shepherd University, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,206. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $75,914. Set against $27,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $87,415 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia Wesleyan College earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Located in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $103,788. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.