by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2207 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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.
Fresno City College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,152. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
South Texas College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,718. Nursing graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $92,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $97,457. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $73,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,332. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. 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. 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.
Golden West College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,531. Nursing graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $69,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,332. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Butte College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,375. Early-career nursing graduates make about $104,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $99,544. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Nursing graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $117,283 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
St Petersburg College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $67,220. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $107,024. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest nursing values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #126 | Halifax Community College | Weldon, NC | Full Report |
| #127 | Somerset Community College | Somerset, KY | Full Report |
| #128 | Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | Full Report |
| #129 | Southeastern Community College Whiteville | Whiteville, NC | Full Report |
| #130 | Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden, AL | Full Report |
| #131 | Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | Full Report |
| #132 | Mercer County Community College | West Windsor, NJ | Full Report |
| #133 | Community College Of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | Full Report |
| #134 | College Of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | Full Report |
| #135 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | Full Report |
| #136 | Pasco Hernando Community College | New Port Richey, FL | Full Report |
| #137 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Full Report |
Also worth considering for value in nursing:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Nursing rankings across degree levels:
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 · 2207 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 911 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.