by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Capella University, our #1 best value for nursing practice in Minnesota. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $27,826 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Capella University earn a median of $107,183 early in their careers. Set against $27,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Rasmussen College Minnesota one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,866 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $77,596 early in their careers. Set against $34,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Catherine University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $32,610 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $89,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,610 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Augsburg College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $23,441 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $104,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Saint Benedict one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $75,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Nursing Practice graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $94,855 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Walden University earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $32,800. Nursing Practice graduates of Walden University earn a median of $107,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,800 median debt.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.