2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for nursing science in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,733. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $103,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,733 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for nursing science. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,070. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #6 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $105,610. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $88,414. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

9

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $111,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

10

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #10 position for value in nursing science 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $103,649. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

11

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $87,290. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

12

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $101,039. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

13

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $41,860. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

15

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for nursing science value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $91,154. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

16

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $15,308 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $106,751. Set against $15,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #17 spot for nursing science value this year. 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. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,408. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

19

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #19 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $95,130. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

20

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #20 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $91,087. Set against $27,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME

University Of Maine At Fort Kent earned the #21 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,420, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $30,447. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Set against $30,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $91,491. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,450. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

24

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,063. Set against $20,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

25

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,000. Nursing Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $87,415 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.