by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in nursing science, no school beat Post University this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $35,364. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $50,494. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $117,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Goodwin College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of East Hartford, Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,188. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $51,413. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Goodwin College generally make around $84,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacred Heart University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $29,200. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $107,149. Set against $29,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.