2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 147 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
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Finding the Best Value Nursing Science School for You
Where you study nursing science affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Nursing Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing science schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $51,372. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,934. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $90,433. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,070. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,733. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $103,941. Set against $19,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $105,610. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,800. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $20,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in nursing science this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #9 for value in nursing science this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $91,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,026 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $87,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #11 position for value in nursing science this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #12 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,000. Nursing Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $111,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #13 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $29,430. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University placed #14 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,750. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $101,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Davis landed the #15 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $14,404. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent earned the #16 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $18,484. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #18 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #19 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $95,130. That is a strong return on a $27,188 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #20 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #21 spot for nursing science value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $13,400. Nursing Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #22 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $24,356. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $98,109. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #23 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $26,182 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $106,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
National University College Bayamon earned the #24 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $14,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from National University College Bayamon generally make around $26,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for nursing science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,455. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $91,063. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 147 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.
