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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Mt Hood Community College this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,031 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,499. Set against $30,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lane Community College, which ranked #2. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,165 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $89,567 early in their careers. Set against $23,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Treasure Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $6,795. Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Treasure Valley Community College earn a median of $70,211 early in their careers. Set against $37,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Clackamas Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $31,280. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Chemeketa Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Students borrow a median of $24,018 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rogue Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,950. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $90,235. That is a strong return on a $20,950 median debt.
Klamath Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Klamath Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,965, compared with $8,025 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oregon Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Southwestern Oregon Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Coos Bay. Students from in state pay about $7,192 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,435 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,033. That is a strong return on a $32,000 median debt.
Umpqua Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Roseburg, Umpqua Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,104 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Umpqua Community College earn a median of $88,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Gorge Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,417. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,167. That is a strong return on a $22,417 median debt.
Central Oregon Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Bend, Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College generally make around $82,582. That is a strong return on a $22,833 median debt.
Linn Benton Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,854. Nursing graduates of Linn Benton Community College earn a median of $84,912 early in their careers. Set against $20,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Mountain Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,076, compared with $9,754 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,221. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blue Mountain Community College generally make around $25,872. That is a strong return on a $25,221 median debt.
Clatsop Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Astoria, Clatsop Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $9,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Nursing graduates of Clatsop Community College earn a median of $23,808 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Warner Pacific College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Portland, Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,220. Nursing graduates carry a median of $41,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Warner Pacific College generally make around $51,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northwest Christian University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,704. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $102,985. That is a strong return on a $28,704 median debt. Northwest Christian University admits about 67% of applicants.
Linfield College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McMinnville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,736. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Linfield College generally make around $95,604. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Linfield College admits about 85% of applicants.
Sumner College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Sumner College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students borrow a median of $35,404 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sumner College earn a median of $85,561 early in their careers. Set against $35,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $89,201 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Portland landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Portland earn a median of $94,291 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Portland admits about 89% of applicants.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.