2026 Best Value Nursing Science Master’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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 176 schools to find the best return on investment 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. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $16,944. Nursing Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for nursing science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $18,895. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $114,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $108,040 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $13,400. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $95,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for value in nursing science this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $79,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas Womans University came in at #7 for value in nursing science this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,000. Nursing Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $102,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in nursing science this year. 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, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $103,063. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for nursing science value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $19,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $112,814. Set against $19,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 for value in nursing science this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $24,701. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $93,594. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $110,592. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 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. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,026. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $99,792. That is a strong return on a $23,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. 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. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #14 position for value in nursing science this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #15 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $15,308 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $113,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,750. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,796. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University came in at #17 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,188. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $111,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in nursing science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,455. Nursing Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $110,366 early in their careers. Set against $20,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Governors State University earned the #19 position for value in nursing science this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $101,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $121,441. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
West Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. 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. Nursing Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $103,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $92,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #23 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $107,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #24 position for value in nursing science this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $29,430. Nursing Science graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $108,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #25 among the best values for nursing science. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. 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. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $107,612. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
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 list is compiled 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 33 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.
