2026 Best Value Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in public health/community nurse/nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $18,661. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $129,036 early in their careers. Set against $18,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

3

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #3 place for public health/community nurse/nursing. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $17,258 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $17,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. Set against $13,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in public health/community nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

6

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College landed the #6 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $107,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $91,969. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University earned the #8 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $26,849. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University came in at #9 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Students borrow a median of $36,369 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $84,702. Set against $36,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

10

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #10 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,165 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $103,835. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

11

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University landed the #11 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $74,453 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #12 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

13

Methodist College
Peoria, IL

Methodist College landed the #13 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. Students borrow a median of $46,375 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Methodist College earn a median of $67,809 early in their careers. Set against $46,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

14

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni came in at #14 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $63,443. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.

15

Dyouville College
Buffalo, NY

Dyouville College placed #15 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,940. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,997 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Dyouville College earn a median of $70,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,997 median debt. Dyouville College admits about 81% of applicants.

16

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

17

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Omaha, NE

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #17 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,362 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $80,755. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

18

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton earned the #18 position for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $100,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #19 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,349. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $54,618. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.

21

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University placed #21 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.

22

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $29,548 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $29,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

23

Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College landed the #23 spot for public health/community nurse/nursing value this year. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,770. Students borrow a median of $22,442 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $89,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bluefield College admits about 59% of applicants.

24

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University placed #24 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Emory University earn a median of $67,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

25

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #25 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $86,430. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.