by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 55 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.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Georgia. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,235. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #2. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,531. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $86,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Georgia Technical College earned it the #5 place for nursing. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $19,833 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $83,943. Set against $19,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,960. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $77,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $72,650. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $47,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,054. That is a strong return on a $47,000 median debt.
Albany Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dalton State College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,312 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $78,830 early in their careers. Set against $17,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Students borrow a median of $27,050 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,917. That is a strong return on a $27,050 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $7,064. Nursing graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,970 early in their careers. Set against $7,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $35,521. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.
Georgia Highlands College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $10,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,119 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $72,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $16,120 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,030. Set against $16,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,431. Nursing graduates of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earn a median of $71,704 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
Lanier Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Gordon State College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Barnesville, Gordon State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,628, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. Students borrow a median of $22,225 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Gordon State College earn a median of $73,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Clayton State University came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $37,783. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $99,969. Set against $37,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,743. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $87,563. Set against $19,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Augusta Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,400. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,041. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,400, compared with $5,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,301 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia State College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $10,274 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,120. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $69,569. That is a strong return on a $19,120 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.