2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.
At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 50,422 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s” ranking looked at 527 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing
Out of the 527 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Mount Marty University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Yankton, South Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Mount Marty also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Marty are $8,175, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend United States University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 262 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at United States University are $5,850, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 527 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the #3 spot on the list. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,579 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Governors University are $7,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s. UT Health San Antonio is a small school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 68 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Health San Antonio did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Health San Antonio are $13,466, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Otterbein University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. Otterbein is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westerville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Otterbein also did well on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Otterbein University are $6,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Grand Canyon University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 1,782 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Grand Canyon University is in the top on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.
The University of Texas Medical Branch came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Galveston, Texas, and it awarded 191 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
UTMB Galveston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UTMB Galveston are $17,500.
Read more about Nursing at The University of Texas Medical Branch
Purdue University Global came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 526 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674.
Clarkson College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 113 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Clarkson College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clarkson College are $11,808, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 846 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree nursing students list, Maryville U has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Maryville University of Saint Louis are $15,696.
With a ranking of #11, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a medium-sized public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 330 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
TTUHSC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TTUHSC are $19,056.
Read full report on Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
West Coast University - Orange County ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Anaheim, California, and it awarded 190 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at West Coast University - Orange County are $10,914, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County
Walden University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school handed out 4,106 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Walden University is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #14, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. SMU MN is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 64 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Nursing at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
With a ranking of #15, Cedarville University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Cedarville, Ohio, and it awarded 40 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Cedarville University are $9,065, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Winona State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Winona State is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Capella University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 527 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767.
Chamberlain University - Illinois came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Addison, Illinois, this large private for-profit school awarded 3,640 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Chamberlain - Illinois also did well on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chamberlain - Illinois are $14,090.
Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois
With a ranking of #19, Southern Adventist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Adventist University are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #20. Brigham Young University - Provo is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Union University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s list. Union University is located in Jackson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Union University are $10,671, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Nebraska Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at NWU are $5,186, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Scranton landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 33 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, University of Scranton also did well on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Scranton are $11,630, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Denver College of Nursing landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Denver College of Nursing is a private for-profit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Denver College of Nursing are $1,806, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Morningside College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s ranking. Morningside College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 42 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Morningside are $5,400.
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA |
| 52 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global | Marion, IN |
| 52 | University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY |
| 54 | Saint Vincent College | Latrobe, PA |
| 55 | Spalding University | Louisville, KY |
| 56 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL |
| 57 | The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL |
| 58 | Bethel University Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
| 59 | American Sentinel University | Aurora, CO |
| 60 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
| 61 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL |
| 61 | Oklahoma City University | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 63 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX |
| 64 | Allen College | Waterloo, IA |
| 65 | Messiah University | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Hunter College | New York, NY |
| 67 | Wheeling University | Wheeling, WV |
| 68 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock, AR |
| 69 | Worcester State University | Worcester, MA |
| 70 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha, NE |
| 71 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | Brooklyn, NY |
| 72 | North Park University | Chicago, IL |
| 73 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ |
| 73 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI |
| 75 | Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA |
| 76 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon, WV |
| 77 | Herzing University - Madison | Madison, WI |
| 77 | Frontier Nursing University | Hyden, KY |
| 79 | Simmons University | Boston, MA |
| 80 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO |
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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