by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
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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 Eastern Wyoming College, our #1 best value for nursing in Wyoming. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $72,685. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Northwest College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,992. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $60,794. That is a strong return on a $17,992 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Wyoming Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Set against $16,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Casper College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Students borrow a median of $13,582 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,610. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $22,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Wyoming College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,100 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,243. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,164. That is a strong return on a $15,243 median debt.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.