by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Eastern Wyoming College this year. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. 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. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Wyoming Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,338. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $68,751. That is a strong return on a $16,338 median debt.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,685. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Northwest College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $17,992 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,794. Set against $17,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $71,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Casper College came in at #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,582 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Casper College earn a median of $68,615 early in their careers. Set against $13,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Wyoming College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,100. Students borrow a median of $15,243 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Wyoming College earn a median of $65,164 early in their careers. Set against $15,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $22,185 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $94,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.