by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,500. Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $73,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,026. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cochise College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,339. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $69,412. That is a strong return on a $10,339 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career nursing graduates make about $44,895.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,781. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $70,074. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,741 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $75,418 early in their careers. Set against $24,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Pioneer College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. In-state tuition and fees average $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $71,105. Set against $11,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $72,843. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $73,639. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,136. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,806 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $67,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $34,003. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Set against $34,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,225. Nursing graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,230. Nursing graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $73,683 early in their careers. Set against $21,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $27,235 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. That is a strong return on a $27,235 median debt.
Northern Arizona University earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $24,276 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $96,796 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Coconino Community College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $68,955. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
University Of Arizona earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $96,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,500. Nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa. Students borrow a median of $29,761 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Mesa generally make around $73,509. Set against $29,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashford University came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Ashford University is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $48,441. That is a strong return on a $39,515 median debt.
Brookline College Phoenix landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Brookline College Phoenix is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $41,937. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,980. Set against $41,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.