2027 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
For return on investment in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, no school beat Florida International University this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $18,895. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing 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. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $84,066 early in their careers. Set against $23,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #5 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,450. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,685. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #7 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. 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 $91,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University placed #8 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $94,976 early in their careers. Set against $26,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #9 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,500. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $89,337 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University landed the #10 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $70,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University landed the #11 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $22,956. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $84,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #12 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $13,975. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University placed #13 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Radford University earn a median of $85,443 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #14 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $124,750. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #15 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $18,349. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $77,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,349 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #16 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,444. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $80,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
East Carolina University earned the #17 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $96,898 early in their careers. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #18 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,277. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $85,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia State University landed the #19 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,215 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing 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 ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $99,718. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #21 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $89,640. Set against $25,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Gardner Webb University earned the #22 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $22,461. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $86,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,461 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Louisville placed #23 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing 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. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $97,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University placed #25 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $83,590. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 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
More Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Rankings
View All Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
