[Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/public-health-community-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health/community nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in public health/community nurse/nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $16,944. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $103,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,661 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $19,000. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $75,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Rhode Island College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $73,235. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $30,165. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $87,715. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Worcester State University landed the #9 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $26,849. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $75,249. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Coppin State University placed #10 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $36,369. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $76,661. Set against $36,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #11 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $72,051. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Jacksonville State University came in at #12 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $68,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $20,500. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $56,289. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $63,323. Set against $15,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
La Salle University landed the #15 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $54,618. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $86,404. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College earned the #17 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $34,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,997 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Dyouville College earn a median of $70,550 early in their careers. Set against $30,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #18 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $75,659. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #19 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Students borrow a median of $30,754 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $63,443. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $29,454 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $75,809 early in their careers. Set against $29,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #21 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $29,548. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $81,452. That is a strong return on a $29,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,934. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,362 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $70,680. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #23 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,500. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $92,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Emory University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $69,047. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for public health/community nurse/nursing this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
