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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Granite State College this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $86,954. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Manchester Community College Nh came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Manchester, Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,063 ten years after entry.
Lakes Region Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Lakes Region Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Laconia. In-state tuition and fees average $6,720, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,182 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes River Valley Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Claremont, River Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,190. Students borrow a median of $27,824 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of River Valley Community College earn a median of $75,282 early in their careers. Set against $27,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
White Mountains Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. White Mountains Community College is a small public school located in the town of Berlin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from White Mountains Community College generally make around $67,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Bay Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,371. Nursing graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $73,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Keene State College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,915. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Students borrow a median of $25,006 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,512. Set against $25,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Plymouth State University earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,906. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $111,076. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Nashua Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Nashua. Students from in state pay about $7,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,608 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Nashua Community College earn a median of $24,074 early in their careers. Set against $10,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New England College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,474. Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin Pierce University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,442. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,870. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Colby Sawyer College generally make around $78,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rivier College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,488. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $83,130. That is a strong return on a $32,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint Anselm College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,920. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,470 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $85,600. Set against $31,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.