by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Connecticut. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,876 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Charter Oak State College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Central Connecticut State University one of the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $180,640 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $106,854. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,837. Early-career nursing graduates make about $100,616. That is a strong return on a $25,837 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $133,137. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Post University earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $50,494. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Connecticut placed #8 among the best values for nursing. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $117,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,752. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Joseph College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,278. Students borrow a median of $30,990 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $103,936 early in their careers. Set against $30,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Goodwin College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of East Hartford, Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,188. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $51,413. Nursing graduates of Goodwin College earn a median of $84,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $51,413 median debt.
University Of Hartford placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,062. Early-career nursing graduates make about $104,775. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Quinnipiac University landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $116,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.
Sacred Heart University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $107,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Fairfield University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $119,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.