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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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.
Mitchell Technical Institute earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in South Dakota. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $47,686. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Western Dakota Technical Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Rapid City. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,620 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Dakota Technical Institute generally make around $37,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lake Area Technical Institute, which ranked #3. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,212 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $66,233 early in their careers. Set against $26,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Technical Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,239 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,601. That is a strong return on a $28,239 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Dakota Wesleyan University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,790 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,981. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Dakota Wesleyan University admits about 73% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $99,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of South Dakota placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,298 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $71,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Sioux Falls landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Marty College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $152,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Marty College admits about 43% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,237. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.