[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 261 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 Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $125,790 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $15,990 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $86,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,475 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $83,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,400. Nursing graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $103,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,632. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $75,260. Set against $10,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $132,090. That is a strong return on a $17,258 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,125. Nursing graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $113,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Camden County College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,600. Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $70,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,631. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $74,795. Set against $18,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,235 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $81,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,235 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,433. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $97,888. That is a strong return on a $11,433 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,444 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $73,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,444 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $115,779. That is a strong return on a $18,871 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Burlington County College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $71,796. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Orange County Community College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Students borrow a median of $21,159 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $79,188. Set against $21,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $82,020. That is a strong return on a $19,145 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,172 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $15,172 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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 · 261 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 261 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
