[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 454 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $139,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $145,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $116,512. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,375. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $193,133. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for nursing. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for nursing. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Nursing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $146,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $128,758. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, 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 $108,669. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $39,231 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $118,273. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $98,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University East Bay ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,875. Early-career nursing graduates make about $124,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,776. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,895. Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $95,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Channel Islands placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $103,484. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Marcos ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,047 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $119,753. That is a strong return on a $25,047 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for nursing. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $108,040. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Purdue University Global came in at #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $38,512. Nursing graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $107,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,512 median debt.
Oakland University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $29,430 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $108,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent placed #20 among the best values for nursing. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $9,420, with out-of-state students paying around $14,880. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,447. Nursing graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Set against $30,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Lamar University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,196. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $77,946. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $101,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,740. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $19,733 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $112,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #25 among the best values for nursing. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $115,543. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 454 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 454 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).
[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.
