by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Middlesex County College the best value for a degree in nursing in New Jersey. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,896. Set against $17,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Nursing graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $70,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,631. Nursing graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $74,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,631 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Camden County College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,796. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,145 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,020. Set against $19,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris placed #7 among the best values for nursing. 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, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Hudson County Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $92,941. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Passaic County Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Warren County Community College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,195. Nursing graduates of Union County College earn a median of $82,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,195 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Bergen Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Nursing graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $76,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,366 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. Set against $19,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,418 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $82,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Saint Peters College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,457. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $108,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,395. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $74,062. That is a strong return on a $25,395 median debt.
Kean University landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $101,039. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $109,581. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,031 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $104,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Gloucester County College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $107,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $102,576. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
New Jersey City University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $90,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
