by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,826. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $107,183. Set against $27,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rasmussen College Minnesota earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,866 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $77,596. That is a strong return on a $34,866 median debt.
St Catherine University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,610 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $89,336. Set against $32,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Augsburg College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,441 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $104,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,441 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The College Of Saint Scholastica one of the best values for nursing practice. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $94,855. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of Saint Benedict earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,756. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.