2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 101 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for nursing 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, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $72,491. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $24,820 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #3. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $27,075 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $78,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #5. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,544. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Butler County Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $63,946. That is a strong return on a $18,576 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,772. 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.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $73,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $73,236 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,711. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt.
Reading Area Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,979. Nursing graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Beaver County landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,500. Nursing graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of $63,237 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $63,953. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $110,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,134 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,849. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Mont Alto, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto admits about 98% of applicants.
Saint Francis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,579 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
