2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked Hazard Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in nursing in Kentucky. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $65,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Somerset Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,842 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 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. 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 $11,729 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,729 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Berea College one of the best values for nursing. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,409 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $65,979. That is a strong return on a $19,409 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,000. Nursing graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical 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 $17,550 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $65,735. That is a strong return on a $17,550 median debt.
Ashland Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $18,756 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $64,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,756 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Set against $13,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,137 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,002 early in their careers. Set against $13,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $23,376 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $67,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henderson Community College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $58,754. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,217. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,999. Nursing graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,271. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $63,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $62,832. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $102,793. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Murray State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,082 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $127,240 early in their careers. Set against $25,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $79,966 early in their careers. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. That is a strong return on a $23,665 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #23 among the best values for nursing. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $29,400 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,456. Set against $29,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $70,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pikeville College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Students from in state pay about $24,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,379. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $79,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 39 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. 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
