Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

318 Ranked Colleges
10,033 Degrees Awarded
$34,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,033 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 318 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 140 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Duke University

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500.

Read full report on Nursing at Yale University

#3

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 318 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #3 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is a large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 56 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Johns Hopkins University

#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 73 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Vanderbilt

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 46 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Read more about Nursing at UPenn

#6

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #6, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 82 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UF is in the top on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at UF

#7

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#19 in overall quality

Georgetown University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 29 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591.

Full Georgetown Nursing Report

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 41 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#9

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 20% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Nursing at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Top 15% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison excels when it comes to nursing quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#11

Hunter College

New York, New York

With a ranking of #11, Hunter College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hunter College is a large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter College are $20,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Hunter Nursing Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 117 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at UW Seattle

Florida International University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 61 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Florida International University

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 112 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Columbia

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Fresno

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 20 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State Fullerton Nursing Report

#17

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UCLA is in the top on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at UCLA

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Florida State University

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Nursing Report

#20

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UNF is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 110 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at UNF

#21

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read full report on Nursing at Emory

Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Nursing Report

#23

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at UCF

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 6 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read more about Nursing at Purdue

#25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 111 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Twin Cities is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 48 in Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 48 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
#28

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#29

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#30

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#31

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#32

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#34

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana
#36

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#37

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#38

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#40

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#41

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#42

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
#44

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York
#45

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#46

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a More Focused Major

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You