[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 2207 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $110,626 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $101,531. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,811. That is a strong return on a $18,964 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,134. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $89,194. Set against $22,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $103,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,855. Nursing graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $77,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,855 median debt.
St Petersburg College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,261 in student loans. Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $80,787 early in their careers. Set against $23,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans. Nursing graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $119,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,800 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $103,611 early in their careers. Set against $11,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $88,036. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #14 among the best values for nursing. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pensacola State College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $77,185. Set against $10,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,125. Nursing graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $113,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Florida landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $73,711. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $90,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Indian River State College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $81,648. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,938. Nursing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $96,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,938 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $110,335. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
College Of The Mainland came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dalton State College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $78,830. Set against $17,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 948 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).
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
