2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among nursing science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,934. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,070. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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 $105,610 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. 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 $88,414. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,026. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,154. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
West Virginia University placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $87,415. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,450. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $91,554. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,168. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $86,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University came in at #11 for value in nursing science this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $22,956 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $84,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #12 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $119,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
East Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,091. Nursing Science graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #14 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,215. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $94,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
East Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #16 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $102,363. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Georgia Southern University placed #17 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,277. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $27,277 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #18 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $98,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #19 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $68,762. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #20 spot for nursing science value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,292. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $97,755. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
George Mason University placed #21 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #22 for value in nursing science this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #23 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #24 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $93,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing science:
Narrow Nursing Science Schools by State
More Nursing Science Rankings
View All Nursing Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
