by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1044 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at San Joaquin Delta College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Nursing graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $97,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,834. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $99,339. That is a strong return on a $11,279 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,739. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $98,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,332 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $29,495. Set against $16,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,187 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $70,630. That is a strong return on a $17,187 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,531 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,971. Set against $10,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,138. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $99,544. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Mainland landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,000. Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Nursing graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $69,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Yuba College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $117,283. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,100. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,220. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $17,506 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $69,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,000. Nursing graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
These institutions also earned high marks for nursing value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #151 | Panola College | Carthage, TX | Full Report |
| #152 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | Full Report |
| #153 | Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | Full Report |
| #154 | Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | Full Report |
| #155 | Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Full Report |
| #156 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Full Report |
| #157 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | Full Report |
A few more high-value nursing schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #208 | Delaware County Community College | Media, PA | Full Report |
| #209 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Nursing rankings across degree levels:
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 · 1044 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,044 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.