by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Dyersburg State Community College this year. Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dyersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,386. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roane State Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,518. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $56,446. That is a strong return on a $11,518 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Students borrow a median of $16,593 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $72,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,593 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia State Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,841 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $65,077. That is a strong return on a $18,841 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattanooga State Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,253 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $64,950. Set against $16,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $55,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walters State Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $57,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,450. Nursing graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $66,385 early in their careers. Set against $8,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State Community College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,742 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,229. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,511 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,462. Early-career nursing graduates make about $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Christian Brothers University came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Nashville State Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $63,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,576. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $25,231 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $71,727. Set against $25,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Memphis earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $86,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Memphis, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $47,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $74,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,349 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $77,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $27,884 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $79,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,558 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $108,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Methodist College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,683. Nursing graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $67,349 early in their careers. Set against $25,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Students borrow a median of $7,086 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,609. That is a strong return on a $7,086 median debt.
East Tennessee State University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. Set against $25,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,750. Nursing graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.