2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Alabama
[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 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Leading the list is George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, our #1 best value for nursing in Alabama. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,412 in student loans. Nursing graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $59,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lurleen B Wallace Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $65,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma generally make around $67,158. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $52,569 early in their careers. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #5. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,850. Nursing graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $61,443 early in their careers. Set against $10,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $71,034 early in their careers. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bevill State Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,750. Nursing graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $63,532 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,124 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $56,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,588. Nursing graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $67,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,588 median debt.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,281.
Snead State Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,569 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,694. Set against $14,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,041 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College generally make around $56,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,882 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $64,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,882 median debt.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southern Union State Community College earn a median of $69,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $63,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,653. Nursing graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $67,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Alabama landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $69,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Shelton State Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,127, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $60,540. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Troy University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,153 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,770. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of West Alabama landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,875. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Auburn University At Montgomery placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,625. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Alabama Community College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,967. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Alabama Community College generally make around $59,634. That is a strong return on a $15,967 median debt.
Jacksonville State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,453. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $100,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
