2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Indiana
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is Purdue University Northwest, our #1 best value for nursing in Indiana. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $93,180. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the nursing program here. 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. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,738. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,890 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Purdue University Global came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $96,363 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,512 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,719. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,302. That is a strong return on a $25,719 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University East ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $92,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. 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. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $91,063. Set against $20,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,155 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $95,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,412. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $86,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Vincennes University placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Goshen College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $90,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chamberlain University Indiana placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Chamberlain University Indiana is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,680 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Chamberlain University Indiana earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chamberlain University Indiana admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,570 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,099. Set against $32,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $71,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,366 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $92,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,366 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Manchester College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,135. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,833. Early-career nursing graduates make about $52,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,848. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
Huntington University earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
University Of Indianapolis placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $89,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #25 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $96,810. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
