2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $156,309. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,938 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $138,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $101,468. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $96,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $22,452. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $105,610. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #8 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $116,277. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $13,400. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. Set against $13,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #10 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $88,414. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

11

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in nursing practice this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $111,254. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $103,649. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #13 for value in nursing practice this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,546 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $127,776 early in their careers. Set against $19,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

14

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,424. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $87,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

16

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in nursing practice this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,484 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $75,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #17 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

18

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $135,203. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

20

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University came in at #20 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $72,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $88,713 early in their careers. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

22

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $15,308 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $106,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

23

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #23 among the best values for nursing practice. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $102,793 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

24

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #24 spot for nursing practice value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $89,364. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

25

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #25 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,154. That is a strong return on a $23,026 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.