2026 Best Value School Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[School Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/school-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 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for school nursing students.
What’s on this page:
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among school nursing schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $18,895. School Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #4 place for school nursing. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $110,592. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for school nursing. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $96,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $91,784 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #7 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #8 for value in school nursing this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $30,165. School Nursing graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $128,146 early in their careers. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Augusta University landed the #10 spot for school nursing value this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $22,956. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #11 among the best values for school nursing. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,813 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $116,392 early in their careers. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $18,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Stony Brook University landed the #13 spot for school nursing value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $23,000. 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%.
University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for school nursing. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #16 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $28,215. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #17 for value in school nursing this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $109,840. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $82,622. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Alverno College came in at #19 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $110,212 early in their careers. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Louisville landed the #20 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #21 among the best values for school nursing. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $57,375. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #22 spot for school nursing value 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. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $28,625. School Nursing graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $95,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Spring Arbor University earned the #23 position for value in school nursing this year. 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. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $29,748. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $101,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for school nursing. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $15,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $22,920. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $102,735. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value School Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s school nursing value ranking:
Other School Nursing Degree Levels
Explore the best-value school nursing schools at other degree levels:
View All School Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 20 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.
