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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Paul D Camp Community College, our #1 best value for nursing in Virginia. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,612 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Rappahannock Community College one of the best values for nursing. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Germanna Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Students borrow a median of $16,543 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $67,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,502. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $64,425. Set against $20,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $16,837 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $65,507 early in their careers. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $64,052. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,960. Nursing graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $63,660 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,647 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $54,880. That is a strong return on a $10,647 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,460. Nursing graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $65,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,450 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $68,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $56,221 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $62,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,615. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $72,911. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,300. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,475 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $62,303 early in their careers. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $69,764. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,752. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $37,278. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,342. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.
Radford University placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $85,443. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Old Dominion University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $124,750. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% 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. 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
