[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.
College Factual analyzed 610 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
Leading the list is Seminole State College Of Florida, our #1 best value for nursing in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,233. Nursing graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $79,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,233 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,531 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,971. That is a strong return on a $10,531 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for nursing. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,681. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,004. Set against $22,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,278. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,731. That is a strong return on a $18,278 median debt.
Cleveland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $73,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Hinds Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,063. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,901. That is a strong return on a $20,063 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $72,523. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $73,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,596. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,040. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Pensacola State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,346 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $71,140. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
Dyersburg State Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,448 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $66,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,448 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $71,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,833. Early-career nursing graduates make about $83,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Nursing graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $69,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,547. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,938 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $67,607 early in their careers. Set against $30,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $17,846 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $69,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Nursing graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $76,008 early in their careers.
North Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $66,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $7,064. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,970. That is a strong return on a $7,064 median debt.
South Florida State College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $65,691. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,387. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,339. That is a strong return on a $10,387 median debt.
North Florida Community College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 610 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 483 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[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.
