[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1023 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $93,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $101,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. 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. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
St Petersburg College ranked #6 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,261 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $80,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,009. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,000. Nursing graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $81,648 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $90,158. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $119,356. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $18,855 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,442. That is a strong return on a $18,855 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Florida State College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $65,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $106,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, 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.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #18 for value in nursing 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $103,611. That is a strong return on a $11,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Florida Online landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,934. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $73,711. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,934. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
College Of The Mainland came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Pensacola State College landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. 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.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,063 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,429. That is a strong return on a $17,063 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #24 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. Students borrow a median of $17,187 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $70,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,938 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,890. Set against $17,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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 · 1023 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,023 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
