2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Pennsylvania

[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing science schools.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, our #1 best value for nursing science in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $68,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,124 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $82,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Nursing Science graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $96,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Thomas Jefferson University one of the best values for nursing science. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $64,243. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #6 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $48,472. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University landed the #7 spot for nursing science value this year. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Desales University earn a median of $97,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $93,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.