by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Coahoma Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,846. Nursing graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $69,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Mississippi Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $70,513 early in their careers. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Mississippi Delta Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. Students borrow a median of $15,909 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $74,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,909 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hinds Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $20,063 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $65,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Copiah Lincoln Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
East Mississippi Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $60,245. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,990, while out-of-state students pay about $6,090. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,183. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $67,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Meridian Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,078 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,478. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,545 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jones County Junior College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ellisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pearl River Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $67,190. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,413. Nursing graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $66,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public school located in the town of Senatobia. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,362 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $70,472 early in their careers. Set against $17,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi University For Women ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,260 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Mississippi Community College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, compared with $7,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Nursing graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alcorn State University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,683 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $85,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,683 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,450. Nursing graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Delta State University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,590. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $68,221. That is a strong return on a $23,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
William Carey University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $73,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Belhaven University came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,706. Nursing graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $69,794 early in their careers. Set against $27,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $119,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Mountain College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Blue Mountain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,180. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $36,823. That is a strong return on a $22,542 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,572. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.