2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky
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
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Kentucky. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Hazard Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,822. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Somerset Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,842 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,747. Set against $15,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $11,729 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $61,155. Set against $11,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $65,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,550 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,137. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,002. Set against $13,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henderson Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $58,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,376 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,999 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $55,532. That is a strong return on a $16,999 median debt.
Maysville Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashland Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $18,756 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $64,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,624. Nursing graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $40,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Berea College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $67,510. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,409 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $65,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,409 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $23,271 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $63,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,271 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $62,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $102,793. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,082. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $127,240. Set against $25,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,665 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $84,066 early in their careers. Set against $23,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,400 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,685 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $68,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
