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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,613 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,268. Set against $26,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,412 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $70,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,412 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for nursing. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. 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. Nursing graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $66,602 early in their careers. Set against $20,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Delta College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,955. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,922. That is a strong return on a $19,955 median debt.
Lansing Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. 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. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,093. That is a strong return on a $28,310 median debt.
Montcalm Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,757. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $68,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,010. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $68,856. That is a strong return on a $16,010 median debt.
Alpena Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,000. Nursing graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Schoolcraft College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,676 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $74,889 early in their careers. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,789 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $65,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Macomb Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. 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.
West Shore Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $64,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt.
Monroe County Community College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gogebic Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Gogebic Community College earn a median of $62,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Mott Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $73,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,228 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $64,122 early in their careers. Set against $24,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,487. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $67,080. That is a strong return on a $24,487 median debt.
Jackson Community College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,387. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,953. Set against $22,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Michigan College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,483. Nursing graduates of North Central Michigan College earn a median of $65,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,483 median debt.
St Clair County Community College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,009. Nursing graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $69,590 early in their careers. Set against $21,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,254 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $64,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,254 median debt.
Glen Oaks Community College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $6,624 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,764. Nursing graduates of Glen Oaks Community College earn a median of $64,466 early in their careers. Set against $13,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,991. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $69,764. That is a strong return on a $19,991 median debt.
Ferris State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $77,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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. 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.