by our College Data Analytics Team
[Pre-Nursing Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-nursing-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pre-nursing studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-nursing studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-nursing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in pre-nursing studies, no school beat Navajo Technical College this year. Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Crownpoint. Students from in state pay about $2,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,364 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Grayson College one of the best values for pre-nursing studies. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in pre-nursing studies will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $18,744 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $30,605 early in their careers. Set against $18,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-nursing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,925 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Set against $13,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple College earned it the #5 place for pre-nursing studies. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $16,617. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Galveston College placed #7 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Set in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,726 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,176. Students borrow a median of $15,183 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $51,165. That is a strong return on a $15,183 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rose State College placed #8 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Rose State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $14,236 in student loans. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $50,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #9 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $46,400. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College came in at #10 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $16,071. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University placed #12 among the best values for pre-nursing studies. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pre-nursing studies graduates is $27,250. Early-career pre-nursing studies graduates make about $49,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
8
9
10
11
12
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.