2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the United States. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $13,670. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $61,785. Set against $13,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $65,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

3

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for nursing practice. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $64,845. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

4

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,752. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $33,892 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

6

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $70,358. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University For Women earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,260. Nursing Practice graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $87,373 early in their careers. Set against $19,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
Alfred, NY

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.

9

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,305. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $61,890. That is a strong return on a $29,305 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

10

Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $21,266. Nursing Practice graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $85,255 early in their careers. Set against $21,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.

11

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $68,346. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

12

Bryant And Stratton College Parma
Parma, OH

Bryant And Stratton College Parma ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,013. Students borrow a median of $33,892 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Parma earn a median of $68,983 early in their careers. Set against $33,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College landed the #13 spot for nursing practice value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.

14

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, WI

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa placed #14 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,469. Students borrow a median of $33,892 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $68,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Icpr Junior College Manati
Manati, PR

Icpr Junior College Manati earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. Icpr Junior College Manati is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Icpr Junior College Manati generally make around $10,086.

16

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

17

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University came in at #17 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,897 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $73,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,897 median debt.

18

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,468. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.

19

Rasmussen College Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN

Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $68,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne placed #20 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $34,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $64,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Columbia College Missouri
Columbia, MO

Columbia College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,768. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Everest College Henderson
Las Vegas, NV

Everest College Henderson placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Las Vegas, Everest College Henderson is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,176. Students borrow a median of $32,167 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Everest College Henderson generally make around $75,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences
Lancaster, PA

Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,933. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,498 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $74,676. That is a strong return on a $27,498 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.