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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Indiana

5 Colleges in the United States
$28,185 Avg Student Debt
$55,728 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Badge [Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.

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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Indiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Nursing Practice Schools

1

Leading the list is Purdue University Northwest, our #1 best value for nursing practice in Indiana. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,408. Nursing Practice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,255. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

4
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #4. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,155 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6
Goshen College crest
Goshen College
Goshen, IN

Goshen College came in at #6 for value in nursing practice this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Ball State University earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #8 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $90,378. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $32,570. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $82,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,366 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,987. Set against $27,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.

11
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $40,664 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $37,444. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $71,111. That is a strong return on a $37,444 median debt. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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