2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Indiana
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Ivy Tech Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Indiana. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $65,738 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,832. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $92,379. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $93,180. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Indiana University Northwest, which ranked #4. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,890. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $73,335. That is a strong return on a $29,890 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Southeast one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,719. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,408. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University East landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $92,367 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,412 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $86,559. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for nursing. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,089. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $91,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Vincennes University landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,530. Nursing graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $61,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana State University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,155 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $95,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Global earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,512 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $96,363 early in their careers. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Huntington University placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,870. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,411. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $90,378 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goshen College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Goshen College generally make around $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Manchester College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,135. Students borrow a median of $25,833 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Manchester College earn a median of $52,464 early in their careers. Set against $25,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Manchester College admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,187. Nursing graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $89,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,187 median debt. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $68,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $71,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,366 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $92,786. Set against $27,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,570. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Anderson University Indiana generally make around $64,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anderson University Indiana admits about 79% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,352 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
