2026 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools

1

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

Our analysis ranked University Of Mississippi Main Campus the best value for a degree in critical care nursing in the United States. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $91,554. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in critical care nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,106. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $22,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in critical care nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $106,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for critical care nursing. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $96,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler is a great value for students pursuing a degree in critical care nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

6

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University earned the #6 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $22,956 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $56,168. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis earned the #7 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,168 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #8 position for value in critical care nursing this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $76,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

9

Universidad Metropolitana
San Juan, PR

Universidad Metropolitana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $25,256. Set against $16,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #10 among the best values for critical care nursing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $117,350. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

11

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #11 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $10,000. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $38,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville placed #12 among the best values for critical care nursing. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $58,534. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

13

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,252 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $101,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,252 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas landed the #14 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,742. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,850 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $16,039. That is a strong return on a $5,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #15 for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $13,975. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $125,565. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

16

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College placed #16 among the best values for critical care nursing. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $91,109. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #17 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $90,066. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

18

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #18 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $52,403. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College came in at #19 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $35,000. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $93,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.

20

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #20 for value in critical care nursing this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $28,625. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $83,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $115,226. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #22 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $98,628. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

23

Herzing University Madison
Madison, WI

Herzing University Madison placed #23 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,747 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $90,021. That is a strong return on a $37,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

24

Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University came in at #24 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,427 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #25 for value in critical care nursing this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $111,076. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.