2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New York
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 117 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in nursing in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,944. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $78,850. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Cuny New York City College Of Technology, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,990. Early-career nursing graduates make about $86,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,475. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $83,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $113,718. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,258. Early-career nursing graduates make about $132,090. Set against $17,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,632 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $75,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,235. Nursing graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $81,214 early in their careers. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,433 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $97,888. Set against $11,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,871. Early-career nursing graduates make about $115,779. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Ulster County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,109. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $77,265. That is a strong return on a $28,109 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,152. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,885. That is a strong return on a $20,152 median debt.
Orange County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,159. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $79,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $72,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,436 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,638. Set against $27,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,003. Nursing graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $81,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,003 median debt.
Farmingdale State College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $21,646 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,508. Set against $21,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,337. Nursing graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $69,400 early in their careers. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $69,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,359 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $70,178. Set against $24,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Students borrow a median of $21,868 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $80,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,764. Nursing graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
