2026 Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools in the Southeast Region
[Nurse Anesthetist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nurse-anesthetist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nurse anesthetist students.
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2026 Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nurse anesthetist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nurse Anesthetist Schools
University Of South Florida Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $116,277. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for nurse anesthetist. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $19,546 in student loans. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $127,776. Set against $19,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #4 place for nurse anesthetist. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,558 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $108,081. That is a strong return on a $23,558 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $87,237 early in their careers. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Augusta University came in at #7 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $22,956 in student loans. Nurse Anesthetist 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.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. That is a strong return on a $21,911 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $128,772. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Our Lady Of The Lake College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,959. Students borrow a median of $39,565 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake College generally make around $142,312. Set against $39,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #11 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $24,375. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $70,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Barry University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $34,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $31,000. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $64,906. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Emory University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $98,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University earned the #14 position for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $46,024. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #15 position for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $103,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Union University came in at #16 for value in nurse anesthetist this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $29,127. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $118,489. Set against $29,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Wake Forest University landed the #17 spot for nurse anesthetist value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $21,577. Early-career nurse anesthetist graduates make about $202,919. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University placed #18 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $109,608. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Adventist University Of Health Sciences ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nurse anesthetist schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,420. Nurse Anesthetist graduates carry a median of $33,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nurse anesthetist degree recipients from Adventist University Of Health Sciences generally make around $141,783. Set against $33,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #20 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nurse anesthetist graduates is $35,750. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $89,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
Duke University placed #21 among the best values for nurse anesthetist. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nurse anesthetist program here. Nurse Anesthetist graduates of Duke University earn a median of $116,855 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
