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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 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.
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in nursing in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,950. Nursing graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $63,651 early in their careers. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans. 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.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,175. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,734. That is a strong return on a $12,175 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,437 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.
Richland Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $68,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Nursing graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $60,115 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large 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. That is a strong return on a $20,416 median debt.
Kishwaukee College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
South Suburban College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $7,904 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $42,425. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $18,209 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Oakton Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,000. 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.
Danville Area Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,372. Nursing graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,372 median debt.
Shawnee Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,641. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,550 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $66,261 early in their careers. Set against $23,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $68,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $68,277 early in their careers. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,793. Nursing graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $71,721 early in their careers. Set against $10,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,081. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $70,086. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.
Morton College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,702 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Morton College earn a median of $65,090 early in their careers. Set against $11,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,005 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,472. Set against $12,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,750. Nursing graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $69,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.