2026 Best Value Critical Care Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

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 Southeast Region. 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, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $21,450. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $91,554. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

2

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

Students looking for strong value in critical care nursing will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,168 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Students borrow a median of $22,956 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Set against $22,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $13,975. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $125,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

5

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Louisville earned it the #5 place for critical care 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, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

6

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in critical care nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Critical Care Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. 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. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

7

Barry University
Miami, FL

Barry University came in at #7 for value in critical care nursing this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $115,809. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.

8

King College
Bristol, TN

King College earned the #8 position for value in critical care nursing this year. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. Students from in state pay about $20,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $49,297. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

9

Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TN

Southern Adventist University landed the #9 spot for critical care nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Students borrow a median of $26,596 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $77,467 early in their careers. Set against $26,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.

10

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $24,250. Early-career critical care nursing graduates make about $103,138. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

11

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #11 among the best values for critical care nursing. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the critical care nursing program here. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $116,855. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Typical student debt for critical care nursing graduates is $23,750. Critical Care Nursing graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $116,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.