2026 Best Value Nursing Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools Schools
Our analysis ranked Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian the best value for a degree in nursing schools in the Outlying Areas Region. Set in the suburb of San Sebastian, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,125. Students borrow a median of $16,725 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian generally make around $27,941. That is a strong return on a $16,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National University College Bayamon earned it the #2 place for nursing schools. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $26,044 early in their careers. Set against $14,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Bayamon Central University one of the best values for nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayamón, Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,986. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Nursing Schools graduates of Bayamon Central University earn a median of $12,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #4 makes Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan one of the best values for nursing schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,125. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $16,725. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $27,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of The Virgin Islands one of the best values for nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Charlotte Amalie, University Of The Virgin Islands is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,957, compared with $16,557 for out-of-state students. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $17,974 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $78,365. Set against $17,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #6 position for value in nursing schools this year. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $25,256. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earned the #7 position for value in nursing schools this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,850 in student loans. Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earn a median of $16,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Universidad Del Este ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Located in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $12,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dewey University Carolina earned the #9 position for value in nursing schools this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Dewey University Carolina is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,630. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $5,825. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $17,575. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati came in at #10 for value in nursing schools this year. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,125. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $16,725. Nursing Schools graduates of Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati earn a median of $24,454 early in their careers. Set against $16,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dewey University Manati landed the #11 spot for nursing schools value this year. Dewey University Manati is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. In-state tuition and fees average $7,630. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $5,825. Nursing Schools graduates of Dewey University Manati earn a median of $17,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Universidad Del Turabo landed the #12 spot for nursing schools value this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $54,844. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earned the #13 position for value in nursing schools this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $38,526. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
John Dewey College University Division came in at #14 for value in nursing schools this year. Set in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,180. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $5,825. Nursing Schools graduates of John Dewey College University Division earn a median of $26,223 early in their careers. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas landed the #15 spot for nursing schools value this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $4,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $28,730. Set against $4,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba earned the #16 position for value in nursing schools this year. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villalba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,725 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba generally make around $24,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #17 among the best values for nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $14,877. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas placed #18 among the best values for nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,350. Students borrow a median of $19,065 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earn a median of $52,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,065 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao placed #19 among the best values for nursing schools. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Humacao. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,125. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $16,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao generally make around $24,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the nursing schools program here. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $14,754. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama came in at #21 for value in nursing schools this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guayama. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama generally make around $26,771. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro landed the #22 spot for nursing schools value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $16,040 in student loans. Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $21,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German placed #23 among the best values for nursing schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San German. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German earn a median of $9,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Huertas Junior College came in at #24 for value in nursing schools this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Huertas Junior College is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Huertas Junior College earn a median of $16,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #25 for value in nursing schools this year. Located in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,650. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $12,033. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Nursing Schools Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing schools this year:
Narrow Nursing Schools Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
[Nursing Schools](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
