2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the New England 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult health nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the New England 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
University Of Southern Maine earned the #1 spot for value among adult health nurse/nursing schools in the New England Region. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,242. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $75,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Western Connecticut State University one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,000. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $106,854. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Lowell one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Connecticut earned it the #5 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $117,021. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Quinnipiac University placed #6 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. 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 $116,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.