[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health/community nurse/nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for public health/community nurse/nursing in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $18,661 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $13,400. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,217 early in their careers. Set against $13,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. 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 $91,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University earned the #7 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wayne State University placed #8 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. 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 $128,146. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
East Carolina University came in at #9 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $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 ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $80,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #11 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $30,754. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $63,443. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. 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. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Dyouville College generally make around $70,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #14 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $16,593. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. That is a strong return on a $16,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #15 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Students borrow a median of $35,362 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $90,830 early in their careers. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #16 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
La Salle University came in at #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. 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 La Salle University generally make around $54,618. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #18 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $111,869. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Aspen University came in at #19 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Aspen University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,870 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $36,787. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,705.
Bluefield College landed the #20 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Students borrow a median of $22,442 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $108,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University earned the #21 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. 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. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $67,840. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University came in at #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $103,813. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Allen College placed #24 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Waterloo, Allen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,787. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Allen College earn a median of $103,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Widener University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. 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 Widener University Main Campus generally make around $60,864. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for public health/community nurse/nursing this year:
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
The ranking above is published 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 7 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.
