[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 340 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, our #1 best value for nursing in the Great Lakes Region. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $70,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,950. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $63,651. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $19,345 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $73,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,613 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $71,268. Set against $26,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $25,412 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,145. Set against $25,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,889. That is a strong return on a $26,676 median debt.
Delta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,955 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Delta College earn a median of $67,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,437 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.
Macomb Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $69,619. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $71,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,005. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,717. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,115. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Lansing Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,310. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $69,093. Set against $28,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montcalm Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,757. Nursing graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $68,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,010. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $18,209 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $63,003. That is a strong return on a $18,209 median debt.
Harper College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $69,403 early in their careers. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,789. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $65,793. That is a strong return on a $19,789 median debt.
Lorain County Community College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,996 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $64,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,833. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,650. Set against $13,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $66,279 early in their careers. Set against $20,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
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 · 340 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 276 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
