by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 121 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing science schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in nursing science in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $16,944. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Florida International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $18,895. Nursing Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. 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, 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.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,026. Nursing Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $99,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $95,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #7 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, 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. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #9 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, 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 $79,653. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #10 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $29,430 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $108,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Texas Womans University landed the #11 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $102,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #12 spot for nursing science value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $110,592. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $93,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #16 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. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $71,551. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University landed the #17 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $111,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $30,165. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $128,146. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, 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%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #20 for value in nursing science this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $109,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,182 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $96,796. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $121,441. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
National University College Bayamon came in at #24 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $14,418 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $38,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,418 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $92,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing science:
Explore the best-value nursing science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
