[Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/public-health-community-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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health/community nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health/community nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among public health/community nurse/nursing schools in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,372. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $18,661. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $100,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $51,911. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,715. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $18,750. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College placed #6 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $73,235 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $75,458 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University placed #8 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Coppin State University came in at #9 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $36,369 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $76,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Wayne State University landed the #10 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $74,793. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University came in at #11 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $68,896. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
East Carolina University landed the #12 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,264. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $72,051. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Methodist College earned the #13 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,008. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $46,375. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Methodist College earn a median of $67,809 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #14 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $30,754. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $63,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Dyouville College placed #15 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,940. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $30,997. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $70,550. That is a strong return on a $30,997 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $29,454. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #17 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,362 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $70,680. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $23,750. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $86,404. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #19 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $75,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $54,618. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University earned the #21 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $92,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #22 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. 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. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $53,543. That is a strong return on a $29,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bluefield College placed #23 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $22,442. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $70,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University came in at #24 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University came in at #25 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. 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. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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:
View All Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
