2026 Best Value Adult Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
[Adult Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/adult-health-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 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 Southeast 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
Florida International University tops our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $102,793 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #3 place for adult health nurse/nursing. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,163. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult health nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $28,215. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $94,620 early in their careers. Set against $28,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Middle Georgia State University one of the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Students borrow a median of $23,825 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $86,547. That is a strong return on a $23,825 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #6 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas came in at #7 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $93,839. Set against $24,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Louisville placed #8 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value adult health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $13,975. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #10 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $51,197. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
James Madison University came in at #11 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,347. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $87,152. Set against $21,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Grantham University placed #12 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of LIttle Rock, Grantham University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,520. Students borrow a median of $30,600 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $58,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer University came in at #13 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,161 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $98,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #14 for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,500. Students borrow a median of $23,520 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $35,820. Set against $23,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #15 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Students borrow a median of $26,606 to complete the adult health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. That is a strong return on a $26,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southern Adventist University placed #16 among the best values for adult health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,596. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $77,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Methodist University landed the #17 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $70,746. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
South Universitysavannah Online earned the #18 position for value in adult health nurse/nursing this year. South Universitysavannah Online is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $41,815. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Duke University landed the #19 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value 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. Typical student debt for adult health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,000. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Duke University earn a median of $116,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tampa landed the #20 spot for adult health nurse/nursing value this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Adult Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career adult health nurse/nursing graduates make about $83,844. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
