by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,938. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,607. That is a strong return on a $30,938 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York Technical College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,170. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $66,034. That is a strong return on a $32,170 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Central Carolina Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,838 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,914. Set against $20,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Midlands Technical College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,649 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aiken Technical College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,200 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Aiken Technical College generally make around $72,146. That is a strong return on a $22,200 median debt.
Tri County Technical College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,667. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt.
Greenville Technical College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,796 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $72,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,796 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $12,894 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $70,419 early in their careers. Set against $12,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,719. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,900. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,237. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,933. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $68,001. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williamsburg Technical College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Williamsburg Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Kingstree. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,488, compared with $8,592 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,935.
University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $72,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $75,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $69,883. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Francis Marion University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $70,110. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lander University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $78,485. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $64,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Newberry College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,756. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Claflin University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,819. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Bob Jones University earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,972. Nursing graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $73,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $60,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Clemson University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $85,508 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.