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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williston State College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in North Dakota. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,000. Nursing graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $60,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,334. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $71,421. That is a strong return on a $28,334 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bismarck State College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $25,382 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $66,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,098 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $59,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,098 median debt.
Mayville State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,525. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt.
Minot State University came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,111. Nursing graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $72,522 early in their careers. Set against $27,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Lake Region State College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,310. Nursing graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $68,214 early in their careers. Set against $27,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,835. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,578. Nursing graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $93,565 early in their careers. Set against $28,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,792 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $153,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jamestown College generally make around $74,094. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
