2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Adult Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/adult-health-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $16,944. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $121,767 early in their careers. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult health nurse/nursing will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $17,258. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $132,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned it the #4 place for adult health nurse/nursing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $56,541. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #5 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Students borrow a median of $24,457 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $108,494 early in their careers. Set against $24,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Wilmington University came in at #6 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,333 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $57,142. That is a strong return on a $23,333 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #7 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,500. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $109,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #8 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $24,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $107,413. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Stony Brook University landed the #9 spot for adult health nurse/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, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $117,350. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #10 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $116,635. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #12 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #13 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,117. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $110,839 early in their careers. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #14 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $100,425. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College landed the #15 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $32,433. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $90,276 early in their careers. Set against $32,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $110,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Saint Mary College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $112,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #18 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $115,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
The Sage Colleges earned the #19 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,164 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The Sage Colleges earn a median of $92,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earned the #20 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $43,360 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland generally make around $72,647. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #21 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,204 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $56,617. That is a strong return on a $26,204 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Molloy College placed #22 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $137,197. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #23 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $35,500. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $82,372. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint John Fisher College earned the #24 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $88,526. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $124,565. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in adult health nurse/nursing:
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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 · 40 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.