2026 Best Value School Nursing Schools
[School Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/school-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for school nursing students.
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Finding the Best Value School Nursing School for You
The school nursing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value School Nursing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value School Nursing Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the school nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value School Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for school nursing in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $16,944. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $51,372. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in school nursing will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $96,796. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in school nursing this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $91,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #8 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Augusta University landed the #9 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $22,956. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $56,168. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #10 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $117,180. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #11 spot for school nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $100,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Wayne State University earned the #12 position for value in school nursing this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $103,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #13 for value in school nursing this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $18,349. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $18,349 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #14 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #15 spot for school nursing value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,215 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $25,987. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #17 position for value in school nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $117,350. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #18 among the best values for school nursing. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $76,736. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #19 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College earned the #22 position for value in school nursing this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $91,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #23 for value in school nursing this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #24 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $83,999. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Iowa came in at #25 for value in school nursing this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value School Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in school nursing:
Narrow School Nursing Schools by Region
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School Nursing is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
