2027 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing-nursing-administration-nursing-research-and-clinical-nursing-other/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing students.
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2027 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #1 spot for value among other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $26,832. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $92,379 early in their careers. Set against $26,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #2. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $24,552. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $93,180. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $26,903 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $39,231. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $108,929. That is a strong return on a $39,231 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #5 place for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $29,890. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $73,335. That is a strong return on a $29,890 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #6 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $38,512 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $96,363 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,512 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #7 position for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $25,719. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $66,302 early in their careers. Set against $25,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East landed the #8 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $92,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #10 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,412 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $86,559. Set against $26,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,155 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $95,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,155 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #12 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Vincennes University landed the #13 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $61,818. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University landed the #14 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $88,411. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $95,228. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $87,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #17 position for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $95,267. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Madonna University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $56,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville came in at #19 for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $59,618. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #20 position for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,075 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $90,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #21 for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $28,500. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $44,496. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bradley University landed the #22 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $54,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $22,920. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $109,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #24 spot for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $84,678. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,536. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $109,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.