by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 73 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.
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $66,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Snow College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,299. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $63,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $68,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,946 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at College Of Southern Idaho, which ranked #5. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,840 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,131. Nursing graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $72,869 early in their careers. Set against $21,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,338 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $68,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,207. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,125. That is a strong return on a $12,207 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Salish Kootenai College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, with out-of-state students paying around $11,583. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salish Kootenai College generally make around $52,607.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $27,790 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $74,246 early in their careers.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Students borrow a median of $17,992 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $60,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Flathead Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,187 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,348. That is a strong return on a $21,187 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,085. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,223. Set against $15,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,238 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,759. Set against $17,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Idaho Technical College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $57,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $72,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.
Sheridan College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Nursing graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $71,610 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Casper College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,582. Nursing graduates of Casper College earn a median of $68,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,993. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,898. That is a strong return on a $11,993 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Idaho College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,297. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $81,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $95,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Lamar Community College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,300. Nursing graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,801. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $66,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
