by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 165 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for nursing in California. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $91,961. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
College Of San Mateo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Nursing graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $98,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for nursing. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
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Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,332. 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.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,250. Nursing graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $97,457 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,834. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $92,486. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing program here. 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%.
Imperial Valley College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $77,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $122,354. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Victor Valley College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,138. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Yuba College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $117,283 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,739. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $98,493. That is a strong return on a $16,739 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $99,544. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
College Of The Redwoods placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,000. Nursing graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $28,496. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
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This list is compiled 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 · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.