2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
For return on investment in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, no school beat Florida International University this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $18,895. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,070. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $96,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $91,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing 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.
Mcneese State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $94,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,100 median debt. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Augusta University placed #7 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $22,956 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $84,840. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #8 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $89,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #9 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Old Dominion University landed the #10 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $124,750. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #11 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,444 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $42,684. That is a strong return on a $28,444 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #12 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $119,800. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University placed #13 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,250. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $70,110 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #14 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $18,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $77,364. Set against $18,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,264. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,898. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #16 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $94,620. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing 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. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $27,277 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $85,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Radford University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $85,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville came in at #20 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,205 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $68,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,205 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #21 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing 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, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $97,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #22 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #23 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $70,403 early in their careers. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #24 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University placed #25 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $83,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
