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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat University Of Phoenix Arizona this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,235. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $111,973. That is a strong return on a $27,235 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $24,276 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $88,824. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,796. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $96,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,500. Nursing Practice graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.