2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the New England Region
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 105 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the New England 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
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,988 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $75,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,988 median debt.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $66,988. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,971. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $72,734. That is a strong return on a $14,971 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,125. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,663. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $72,803. Set against $19,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,008. Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,880. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,404. Set against $20,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $76,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $74,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,866. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,980. Set against $16,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,135. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $75,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,175 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $74,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kennebec Valley Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $69,117. That is a strong return on a $25,922 median debt.
Cape Cod Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,053. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $65,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenfield Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $75,914 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berkshire Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,712, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,753 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $69,083 early in their careers. Set against $22,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,724. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,734. Set against $23,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $107,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
York County Community College earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $35,803. Set against $12,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,447. Nursing graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $80,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,818. Nursing graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $69,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,818 median debt.
Worcester State University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,849. Nursing graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $75,249 early in their careers. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
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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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 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.
