2027 Best Value School Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[School Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/school-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for school nursing students.
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2027 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in school nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value School Nursing Schools
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among school nursing schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $114,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $19,000. School Nursing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $28,408. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $110,592. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $128,146. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #5 place for school nursing. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Youngstown State University earned the #6 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. 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. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $109,840. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #8 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $31,000. School Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $121,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the best values for school nursing. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, 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 $126,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #10 among the best values for school nursing. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $18,349. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Set against $18,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in school nursing 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $21,500. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #14 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. 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. School Nursing graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Set against $28,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #15 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $68,497. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for school nursing. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #17 for value in school nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Spring Arbor University placed #18 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $101,688. Set against $29,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Emory University came in at #19 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $107,880. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for school nursing value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $24,811. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #21 spot for school nursing value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $29,881. School Nursing graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $106,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
King College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from King College generally make around $87,661. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Molloy College placed #23 among the best values for school nursing. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $133,952. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Alverno College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $110,212. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for school nursing value this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $98,522. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value School Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for school nursing this year:
Other School Nursing Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value School Nursing rankings across degree levels:
View All School Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
