by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Delaware County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,075. Nursing graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $78,322 early in their careers. Set against $27,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,000. Nursing graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $73,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $24,820 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $78,511. That is a strong return on a $24,820 median debt.
Holy Family University landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,000. Nursing graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $103,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Luzerne County Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $76,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt.
Butler County Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,576. Nursing graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $63,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $86,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,953. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $73,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,979. Early-career nursing graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Community College Of Beaver County ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Monaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,237. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,772 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $62,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $68,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,408, with out-of-state students paying around $24,134. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus earn a median of $77,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $110,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for nursing. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $110,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton earn a median of $77,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #22 among the best values for nursing. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. Students from in state pay about $14,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $68,320 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Waynesburg University came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,480 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $82,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $84,667. Set against $35,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $88,681 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
The ranking above is published 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.