2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,934. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, 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. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

5

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 53%.

6

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. 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, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $88,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $102,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

9

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,546 to complete the nursing practice program here. 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. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

10

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #10 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $135,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

11

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,082 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $127,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,082 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,188. Nursing Practice graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $110,391 early in their careers. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia placed #13 among the best values for nursing practice. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,743. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,563. That is a strong return on a $19,743 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

14

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for nursing practice value this year. 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, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $79,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,710 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. That is a strong return on a $29,710 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

16

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #16 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

17

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #17 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,665. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $84,066. That is a strong return on a $23,665 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

18

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama landed the #18 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #19 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $87,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University placed #20 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,353. Nursing Practice graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

21

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $87,415. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #22 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

23

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #23 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $89,337. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

24

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,752. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $37,278 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $34,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University For Women ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $19,260. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,373. That is a strong return on a $19,260 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.