2026 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Family Practice Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/family-practice-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family practice nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family practice nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Northwest the best value for a degree in family practice nurse/nursing in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $24,552. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $93,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #2 place for family practice nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $92,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $28,408. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in family practice nurse/nursing will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $165,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #6 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #7 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,188. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $95,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East placed #8 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $92,367. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Youngstown State University placed #9 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $106,008. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Governors State University earned the #10 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,342. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $91,087 early in their careers. Set against $27,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Indiana University Northwest placed #11 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $29,890. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $73,335 early in their careers. Set against $29,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #12 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $86,559. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #13 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $96,363. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University landed the #14 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earned the #15 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,600. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Mount Carmel College Of Nursing generally make around $88,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #17 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,165. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $103,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $87,340. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of St Francis placed #19 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,700. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. Set against $30,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #20 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $95,228 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #21 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ball State University placed #22 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $88,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #23 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $71,404. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo came in at #24 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $22,400. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $76,736. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Goshen College landed the #25 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Goshen College generally make around $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s family practice nurse/nursing value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
