2026 Best Value Nursing Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 176 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for nursing science. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,934. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $73,711. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,733 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $83,327 early in their careers. Set against $19,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $77,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in nursing science this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $72,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $87,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $76,344 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $73,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $75,045. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $68,115. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #12 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for nursing science value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #14 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $101,039. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #15 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $15,308. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $94,216 early in their careers. Set against $15,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #16 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. 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 $71,594 early in their careers. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #17 position for value in nursing science this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, 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 $68,136. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Governors State University landed the #18 spot for nursing science value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $80,391. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,188. Nursing Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $78,285 early in their careers. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $69,353. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $31,000. Nursing Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $75,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, with out-of-state students paying around $14,880. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $30,447. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Fort Kent generally make around $71,551. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for nursing science value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #24 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $71,298. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #25 among the best values for nursing science. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing science:
Other Nursing Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nursing science schools at other degree levels:
View All Nursing Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 176 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
