2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the New England Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Fitchburg State University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $80,228. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $75,249. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Bay Path College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,811. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $59,424. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,236. Nursing Practice graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $180,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #6 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,343. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,552. That is a strong return on a $30,343 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #7 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $92,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $47,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $26,390 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $95,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,390 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Post University came in at #10 for value in nursing practice this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $50,494. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #11 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $99,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #12 position for value in nursing practice this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $83,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #13 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $117,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $111,076. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #15 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,548 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,758. That is a strong return on a $29,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #16 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,125. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Colby Sawyer College earn a median of $54,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin Pierce University placed #17 among the best values for nursing practice. Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rindge. In-state tuition and fees average $46,442. Students borrow a median of $28,870 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $76,016. Set against $28,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franklin Pierce University admits about 94% of applicants.
Simmons College placed #18 among the best values for nursing practice. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,916. Nursing Practice graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $95,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Joseph College came in at #19 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,990. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,936. That is a strong return on a $30,990 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,530. Students borrow a median of $34,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn a median of $73,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Quinnipiac University earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $116,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Endicott College earned the #22 position for value in nursing practice this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $55,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $95,349. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Fairfield University came in at #24 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $119,878. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
