2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Alabama
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat George C Wallace State Community College Dothan this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,412 to complete the nursing program here. 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.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for nursing. 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, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $52,569. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gadsden State Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, 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. That is a strong return on a $10,850 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,124. Nursing graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $56,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,124 median debt.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,588. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $63,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snead State Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Boaz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,569. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,694. That is a strong return on a $14,569 median debt.
Bishop State Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,034. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Union State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John C Calhoun State Community College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College generally make around $56,995. That is a strong return on a $18,041 median debt.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,281 ten years after entry.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,882. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $64,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,375. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jefferson State Community College generally make around $63,811. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
University Of North Alabama placed #15 among the best values for nursing. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $69,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $59,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of West Alabama landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $66,312 early in their careers. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $69,625 early in their careers. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Enterprise State Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Enterprise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $22,991. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public school located in the town of Bay Minette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. Nursing graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $67,900 early in their careers. Set against $17,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jacksonville State University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $74,453. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Shelton State Community College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $60,540. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Troy University came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $27,153 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $100,588. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
