[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1926 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
The nursing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Nursing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in nursing in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for nursing. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,926. That is a strong return on a $16,152 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for nursing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,944. Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $121,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,964. Nursing graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $122,354 early in their careers. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $93,142. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $125,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $97,843. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Modesto Junior College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,279 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $99,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,834. Nursing graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $90,156 early in their careers. Set against $12,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,739 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $98,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $16,332 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,988. That is a strong return on a $18,617 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $75,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,531. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $69,971. That is a strong return on a $10,531 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $91,138. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,187. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,630. That is a strong return on a $17,187 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $99,544. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $88,036 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,235. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Yuba College placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,729. Nursing graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $117,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $22,681 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $74,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,675. Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1926 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,926 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).
by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
