2026 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
[School Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/school-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for school nursing students.
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2026 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in school nursing, no school beat Florida International University this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $18,895. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Augusta University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,956 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $56,168. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in school nursing will find it at Georgia State University, which ranked #4. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $28,215. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Louisville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. School Nursing graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #6 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. 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 $125,565. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $15,130. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
King College placed #9 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,397. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from King College generally make around $77,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Emory University earned the #10 position for value in school nursing this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $98,673. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Union University earned the #11 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $29,127. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Union University generally make around $68,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University came in at #12 for value in school nursing this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of Duke University earn a median of $116,855 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
