by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for nursing in Utah. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,299. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $63,865. Set against $13,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $66,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,085 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Set against $15,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $15,741 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $72,187. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Governors University earned it the #5 place for nursing. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,660. Nursing graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $93,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Utah State University placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $60,247. That is a strong return on a $20,083 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $7,830 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $62,164 early in their careers. Set against $7,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,503 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $69,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,503 median debt.
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,106. Early-career nursing graduates make about $92,469. Set against $22,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Westminster College Utah earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $43,528. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,875. Early-career nursing graduates make about $90,552. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Westminster College Utah admits about 67% of applicants.
Eagle Gate College Layton ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Eagle Gate College Layton is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Layton. Students borrow a median of $52,292 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eagle Gate College Layton generally make around $66,420. Set against $52,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ameritech College Draper ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Draper, Ameritech College Draper is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,260. Students borrow a median of $31,134 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Ameritech College Draper earn a median of $68,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Provo College Provo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Provo, Provo College Provo is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,548. Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,285 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eagle Gate College Murray landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Murray, Eagle Gate College Murray is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,548. Nursing graduates carry a median of $52,292 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,420. Set against $52,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fortis College Salt Lake City ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Fortis College Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,474. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $35,267. Nursing graduates of Fortis College Salt Lake City earn a median of $65,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nightingale College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Nightingale College is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Nightingale College earn a median of $73,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Murray, Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,587. Students borrow a median of $51,854 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $85,169. That is a strong return on a $51,854 median debt. Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City admits about 100% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.