2026 Best Value Nursing Schools

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in nursing in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for nursing. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $119,692. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,926. That is a strong return on a $16,152 median debt.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $125,790 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

7

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $90,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,075. Nursing graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

9

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $122,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

10

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

11

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,718. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $92,486. Set against $13,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

14

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,332 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $16,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $156,309. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

19

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $21,233 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,739. Nursing graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $98,493 early in their careers. Set against $16,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

23

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,500. Nursing graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,531 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,971. That is a strong return on a $10,531 median debt.