2026 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

Leading the list is University Of Mississippi Main Campus, our #1 best value for critical care nursing in the United States. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $92,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

2

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $146,348. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

3

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 #3 spot this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,106. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at The University Of Texas At Tyler, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $55,134. Set against $24,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $87,254. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis earned the #6 position for value in critical care nursing this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #7 for value in critical care nursing this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $22,956. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo placed #8 among the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $61,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

9

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #9 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

10

Universidad Metropolitana
San Juan, PR

Universidad Metropolitana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $49,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $82,622. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

12

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #12 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $109,840. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

13

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College landed the #13 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $110,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #14 for value in critical care nursing this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $103,365. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

15

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. 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%.

16

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #16 for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $28,625. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $95,690. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College came in at #17 for value in critical care nursing this year. Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. In-state tuition and fees average $38,990. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $96,932. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

18

Herzing University Madison
Madison, WI

Herzing University Madison ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $103,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Madison admits about 94% of applicants.

19

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University earned the #19 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. 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 $111,869. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

20

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for critical care nursing. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $89,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

21

Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University earned the #21 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $29,427. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $72,028. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #22 spot for critical care nursing value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $96,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.

23

Barry University
Miami, FL

Barry University landed the #23 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,350. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Barry University earn a median of $149,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

24

Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY

Upstate Medical University landed the #24 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Upstate Medical University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,038 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,878 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Upstate Medical University earn a median of $76,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,064 median debt.

25

Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College placed #25 among the best values for critical care nursing. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,518 in student loans. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $80,844. That is a strong return on a $33,518 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.