[Nursing Education](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 273 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing education students.
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Finding the Best Value Nursing Education School for You
Where you study nursing education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Nursing Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Texas Womans University the best value for a degree in nursing education in the United States. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $101,837. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Governors University earned it the #2 place for nursing education. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing education, landing the #3 spot this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for nursing education. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for nursing education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $25,735. Nursing Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University landed the #6 spot for nursing education value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lamar University earned the #7 position for value in nursing education this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine placed #8 among the best values for nursing education. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #9 among the best values for nursing education. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $39,473. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #10 position for value in nursing education this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,353 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in nursing education this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $21,813. Nursing Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned the #12 position for value in nursing education this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,056 to complete the nursing education program here. Nursing Education graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. Set against $21,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #13 spot for nursing education value this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $35,323. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $106,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in nursing education this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #15 spot for nursing education value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $92,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #16 for value in nursing education this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $23,917. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $72,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #17 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $26,513. Nursing Education graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
National University College Bayamon landed the #18 spot for nursing education value this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,583 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from National University College Bayamon generally make around $36,905. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #19 spot for nursing education value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for nursing education graduates is $20,959. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $75,886. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $97,185. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia earned the #21 position for value in nursing education this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $75,609 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt.
Mercy College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing education schools. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $140,982. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Clarkson College landed the #23 spot for nursing education value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,104 in tuition and fees. Nursing Education graduates carry a median of $30,052 in student loans. Nursing Education graduates of Clarkson College earn a median of $77,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,052 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University placed #24 among the best values for nursing education. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the nursing education program here. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
Framingham State University landed the #25 spot for nursing education value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the nursing education program here. Early-career nursing education graduates make about $108,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing education:
Nursing Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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).
[Nursing Education](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
