2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Kentucky
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $102,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,082. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $127,240. That is a strong return on a $25,082 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,685 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. That is a strong return on a $25,685 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,665. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $102,363 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Louisville placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $68,762. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bellarmine University came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $81,384. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University landed the #8 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $51,978 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spalding University admits about 99% 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
