2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $97,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $105,622. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #4 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $117,350. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $109,581 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Frostburg State University earned the #6 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $110,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $110,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $100,425. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,940 in tuition and fees. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,997 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $90,871. Set against $30,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dyouville College admits about 81% of applicants.
La Salle University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $110,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Carlow University came in at #12 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Saint Mary College placed #13 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $112,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The Sage Colleges placed #14 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,164. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The Sage Colleges earn a median of $92,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Sage Colleges admits about 53% of applicants.
Molloy College placed #15 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $137,197. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Molloy College admits about 82% of applicants.
Robert Morris University placed #16 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $85,290 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint John Fisher College came in at #17 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,190. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,526. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Adelphi University placed #18 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $124,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University landed the #19 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $101,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #20 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,500. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $98,377 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester placed #21 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $89,788. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Desales University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,620. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Desales University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pace University New York landed the #23 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $137,078. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $22,410 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $137,262. That is a strong return on a $22,410 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Monmouth University came in at #25 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $102,075. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year:
Narrow Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
