2026 Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $110,626 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $101,531. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,811. That is a strong return on a $18,964 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,134. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $89,194. Set against $22,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $103,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,855. Nursing graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $77,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,855 median debt.

9

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,261 in student loans. Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $80,787 early in their careers. Set against $23,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans. Nursing graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $119,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $93,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,800 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $103,611 early in their careers. Set against $11,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

13

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $88,036. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #14 among the best values for nursing. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $77,185. Set against $10,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,125. Nursing graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $113,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

17

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

18

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $73,711. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

19

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $90,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

20

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $81,648. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,938. Nursing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $96,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,938 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

22

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $110,335. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $78,830. Set against $17,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.