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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Leading the list is Williston State College, our #1 best value for nursing in North Dakota. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $60,944. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Lake Region State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,310. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Region State College generally make around $68,214. Set against $27,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,098 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $59,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Minot State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,111 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Dakota College At Bottineau landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,334. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayville State University placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,525. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $88,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rasmussen College North Dakota came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Fargo, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,404 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,866 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rasmussen College North Dakota generally make around $77,596. Set against $34,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $28,578 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $93,565. That is a strong return on a $28,578 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,792 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $153,282. That is a strong return on a $25,792 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Jamestown College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,094. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
