by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 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 Salina Area Technical College the best value for a degree in nursing in Kansas. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,124. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Labette Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,833. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coffeyville Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $62,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,889 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $60,330. Set against $21,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $55,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Students borrow a median of $20,680 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $62,370. Set against $20,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $61,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Neosho County Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Students borrow a median of $17,877 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $61,906. That is a strong return on a $17,877 median debt.
Barton County Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,183. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Donnelly College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $12,810. Students borrow a median of $27,626 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Donnelly College generally make around $49,147. Set against $27,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattan Area Technical College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $59,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $82,486. That is a strong return on a $24,726 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,928.
Cloud County Community College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,268 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cloud County Community College earn a median of $61,406 early in their careers. Set against $22,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,022. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Washburn University landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,250. Nursing graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $98,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,914 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $64,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,914 median debt.
Butler Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,244. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt.
Pittsburg State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,791 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $82,109 early in their careers. Set against $22,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kansas placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $105,103. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Emporia State University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $24,440 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $60,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,996, compared with $6,482 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,181. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.