[Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/public-health-community-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for public health/community nurse/nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health/community nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $17,258. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Coppin State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public health/community nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $36,369 in student loans. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $84,702. That is a strong return on a $36,369 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Dyouville College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,940. Students borrow a median of $30,997 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Dyouville College generally make around $70,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dyouville College admits about 81% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health/community nurse/nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $100,425. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
La Salle University came in at #6 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Public Health/community Nurse/nursing graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #7 among the best values for public health/community nurse/nursing. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $98,377. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Widener University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health/community nurse/nursing program here. Early-career public health/community nurse/nursing graduates make about $60,864. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America came in at #9 for value in public health/community nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Typical student debt for public health/community nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public health/community nurse/nursing degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
