by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing schools students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools in Puerto Rico. Set in the city of San Juan, Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,340. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,510. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing schools will find it at Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian, which ranked #2. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Sebastian. 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 College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian generally make around $27,941. That is a strong return on a $16,725 median debt. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing schools will find it at National University College Bayamon, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,723, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $14,418. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan earned it the #4 place for nursing schools. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $16,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan generally make around $27,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Bayamon Central University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamón. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,986. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $12,591. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bayamon Central University admits about 66% of applicants.
Atenas College placed #6 among the best values for nursing schools. Atenas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. Students from in state pay about $8,954 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $6,652 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Atenas College earn a median of $21,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universidad Metropolitana landed the #7 spot for nursing schools value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $25,256. Set against $16,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas landed the #8 spot for nursing schools value this year. Located in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Students borrow a median of $5,850 to complete the nursing schools program here. 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. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas admits about 86% of applicants.
Icpr Junior College Mayaguez earned the #9 position for value in nursing schools this year. Located in the city of Mayaguez, Icpr Junior College Mayaguez is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $10,086.
Universidad Del Este ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Universidad Del Este generally make around $12,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Icpr Junior College Manati earned the #11 position for value in nursing schools this year. Set in the suburb of Manati, Icpr Junior College Manati is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Icpr Junior College Manati generally make around $10,086.
Dewey University Carolina ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Dewey University Carolina is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,630. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Dewey University Carolina generally make around $17,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earn a median of $12,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Dewey University Manati ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Located in the suburb of Manati, Dewey University Manati is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,630. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from Dewey University Manati generally make around $17,575. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Del Turabo landed the #15 spot for nursing schools value this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $12,375. Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $54,844 early in their careers. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati landed the #16 spot for nursing schools value this year. Located in the suburb of Manati, Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,725 to complete the nursing schools program here. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $24,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #17 for value in nursing schools this year. Located in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
John Dewey College University Division came in at #18 for value in nursing schools this year. John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hato Rey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,180. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, nursing schools degree recipients from John Dewey College University Division generally make around $26,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Caguas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $4,375 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas earn a median of $28,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,375 median debt.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Set in the city of Guayama, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,608. Median earnings reach $26,293 ten years out. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba placed #21 among the best values for nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Villalba, Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,125. Typical student debt for nursing schools graduates is $16,725. Nursing Schools graduates of Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba earn a median of $24,454 early in their careers. Set against $16,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #22 among the best values for nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the nursing schools program here. Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $14,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan came in at #23 for value in nursing schools this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,707. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,293. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earned the #24 position for value in nursing schools this year. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mayaguez. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,350. Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $19,065 in student loans. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $52,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools schools. Set in the city of Aguadilla, Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico is a small private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing schools graduates make about $17,500.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing schools value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
