2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Southeast 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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for nursing science in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $90,433. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $96,397 early in their careers. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, 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. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for nursing science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,000. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #6 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete the nursing science program here. 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%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $103,649. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Memphis earned the #9 position for value in nursing science this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,168 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $86,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #10 position for value in nursing science this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $13,975. Nursing Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $22,956. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #12 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,000. Nursing Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $87,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in nursing science this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgia Southern University came in at #14 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,277 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia State University earned the #15 position for value in nursing science 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $28,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $94,620. Set against $28,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $22,750. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $99,718. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,091. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $89,640. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Louisville ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,205. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #19 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,911. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $98,091. Set against $21,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky placed #20 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $102,363. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #21 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $93,830. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #22 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $97,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #23 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $83,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $15,130. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $98,628. That is a strong return on a $15,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Southern University And A And M College came in at #25 for value in nursing science this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $39,678 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $87,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% 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
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
