[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for public health/community nurse/nursing students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health/community nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. 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 $139,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. 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 $91,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rhode Island College came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $141,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $13,400. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,217. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University placed #7 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $75,249. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. 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 $112,198. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Jacksonville State University came in at #9 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. 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 $80,009 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #10 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $63,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.
La Salle University earned the #11 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #12 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $63,443 early in their careers. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. 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. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,997 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $70,550. Set against $30,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #14 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $23,750. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $114,445. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $100,062. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #16 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. 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 $78,593. That is a strong return on a $29,548 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Aspen University earned the #17 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Aspen University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,870. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $36,787 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Aspen University earn a median of $97,705 early in their careers.
Emory University placed #18 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $67,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health placed #19 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,934. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $90,830. 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 landed the #20 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value 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 $111,869 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University came in at #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. 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 $57,104. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Bluefield College placed #22 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,770. Students borrow a median of $22,442 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Bluefield College generally make around $108,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #23 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $22,920. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $102,735. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public health/community nurse/nursing:
Explore the best-value public health/community nurse/nursing schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
