by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for nursing in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,137. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College one of the best values for nursing. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $63,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $66,508. Set against $9,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Danville Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,152. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $7,904. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. That is a strong return on a $7,904 median debt.
Triton College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,416 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $66,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,175 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $62,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $23,550 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,261. Set against $23,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Nursing graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $68,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Shawnee Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,641. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $10,793 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $71,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Harper College earn a median of $70,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,005. Nursing graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $72,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,005 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,440. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $69,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,122. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,277. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $69,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,500. Nursing graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $62,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Southeastern Illinois College earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Median earnings reach $33,763 ten years out.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,615 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $65,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,615 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.