by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 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.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,676. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $74,889. That is a strong return on a $26,676 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $26,613 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $71,268 early in their careers. Set against $26,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $70,145. That is a strong return on a $25,412 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Delta College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $19,955 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,751. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $66,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,789 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,793. That is a strong return on a $19,789 median debt.
Monroe County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alpena Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. 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.
West Shore Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. West Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Scottville. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Oakland Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,010 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,432. Nursing graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,009. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,590. That is a strong return on a $21,009 median debt.
Lansing Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,310 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $69,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,334 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,034. Set against $34,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gogebic Community College landed the #16 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, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,485. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $39,231. Early-career nursing graduates make about $108,929. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Lake Michigan College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,445 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,423 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Lake Michigan College earn a median of $71,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,423 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,254. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $64,034. Set against $22,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value 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, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,387 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $75,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montcalm Community College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,396. Set against $25,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Students borrow a median of $24,487 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,080. That is a strong return on a $24,487 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,228 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,122. That is a strong return on a $24,228 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,991. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
This list is compiled 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.