2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $193,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,895. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $22,452. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $108,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #4. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #5. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $103,063. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

8

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. 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. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $102,476 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $93,594. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $79,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $110,592 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.

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,800. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $112,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

14

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,552. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,026. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $99,792. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #16 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $65,681. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

17

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #17 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, 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 $113,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $104,997. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

19

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $101,465. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

20

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University landed the #20 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $88,691. Set against $15,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $96,796. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

22

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $15,308. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $113,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

23

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,163 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $106,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

24

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $123,725. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

25

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #25 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $101,783. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.