2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the New England Region

[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
University Of Massachusetts Boston tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $30,343 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $95,552. Set against $30,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of Maine At Fort Kent, which ranked #2. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $9,420, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #3. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $92,749 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Salem State University one of the best values for nursing science. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $94,196. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $95,762. Set against $26,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Post University came in at #6 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $35,364. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Post University generally make around $50,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Vermont landed the #7 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,257. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $86,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #8 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $83,775. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #9 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $117,021. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #10 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $29,548. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $95,758. Set against $29,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Colby Sawyer College came in at #11 for value in nursing science this year. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $78,856. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Colby Sawyer College admits about 80% of applicants.
Rivier College came in at #12 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,488. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $83,130. Set against $32,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Goodwin College placed #13 among the best values for nursing science. Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,188. Students borrow a median of $51,413 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Goodwin College earn a median of $84,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anna Maria College placed #14 among the best values for nursing science. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $30,954. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $81,066. Set against $30,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #15 among the best values for nursing science. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $31,000. Nursing Science graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Endicott College earned the #16 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $88,417. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
Boston College earned the #17 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $95,349. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
Sacred Heart University landed the #18 spot for nursing science value this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $29,200 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $107,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.