2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among nursing science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,934. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,070. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Nursing Science 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%.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing science program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 40%.

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,026. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,154. Set against $23,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

8

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $87,415. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $21,450. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $91,554. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

10

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,168. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $86,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #11 for value in nursing science this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $22,956 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $84,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #12 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $119,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,091. Nursing Science graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #14 spot for nursing science value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,215. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $94,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky placed #16 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $102,363. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

17

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University placed #17 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,277. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $27,277 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #18 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $98,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.

19

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville placed #19 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $68,762. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee landed the #20 spot for nursing science value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,292. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $97,755. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

21

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #21 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #22 for value in nursing science this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

23

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #23 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #24 spot for nursing science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, AL

University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $93,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.