2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 190 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing students.
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Finding the Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing School for You
The psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
For return on investment in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $121,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #2 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $19,733. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $103,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,070. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $46,404. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,379. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,713. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $75,870. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #9 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,455. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $91,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,665 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #13 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $22,106. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $22,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,415. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $19,000. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #17 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $39,231. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $108,929. That is a strong return on a $39,231 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University landed the #18 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $94,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #19 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $87,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $79,966 early in their careers. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #21 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $89,337. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $98,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #23 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Washburn University came in at #24 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $98,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global landed the #25 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $96,363. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing. See all related rankings.
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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
