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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Kapiolani Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Hawaii. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Students borrow a median of $16,168 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $48,210. That is a strong return on a $16,168 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Kauai Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,388. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Hawaii Community College, which ranked #3. Hawaii Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,204, with out-of-state students paying around $8,340. Students borrow a median of $17,174 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Hawaii Community College earn a median of $69,990 early in their careers. Set against $17,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at University Of Hawaii Maui College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Hawaii Maui College earn a median of $102,390 early in their careers. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $102,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,308 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $106,751 early in their careers. Set against $15,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,874. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $81,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,392. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $75,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.