2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 309 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $125,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $78,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,990 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $86,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,675 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,475. Nursing graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $83,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,611. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $10,632 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $75,260 early in their careers. Set against $10,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,214. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,258. Nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $132,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Frederick Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $70,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,681. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $113,718. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Essex County College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,430 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $70,500 early in their careers. Set against $20,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $17,506 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,896. That is a strong return on a $17,506 median debt.
Mercer County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $18,631 to complete the nursing program here. 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.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,433 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $97,888 early in their careers. Set against $11,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,871 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $115,779 early in their careers. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Hudson County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Nursing graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $92,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,145. Nursing graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $82,020 early in their careers. Set against $19,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $71,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,152 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $69,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,152 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $78,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Orange County Community College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,159. Nursing graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $79,188 early in their careers. Set against $21,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,003. Early-career nursing graduates make about $81,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 309 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 236 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
