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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 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.
Ridgewater College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Minnesota. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,062 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $59,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,062 median debt.
Century College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Century College earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for nursing. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of the best values for nursing. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $40,188. Early-career nursing graduates make about $156,340. Set against $40,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,072. Nursing graduates of South Central College earn a median of $60,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,522. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Northwest Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $6,254. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Technical College generally make around $72,778. Set against $31,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,226. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $61,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $74,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,391 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $66,870. Set against $25,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,779. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,312. That is a strong return on a $27,779 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,111. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $20,803 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $66,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,803 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,020. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
Normandale Community College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $65,052. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt.
Pine Technical College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,282. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,961. Set against $31,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $68,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Students borrow a median of $36,865 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College generally make around $57,141. That is a strong return on a $36,865 median debt.
Bemidji State University placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,990 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,639. Set against $27,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,289. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,075. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,395. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,560 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $71,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Lake Superior College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,655. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $64,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.