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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Nevada. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,082. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,100 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $80,518. That is a strong return on a $18,100 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,733. Nursing graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $103,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,733 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Great Basin College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,923, while out-of-state students pay about $11,996. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,257. Nursing graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $70,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,257 median debt.
Western Nevada College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Carson City. Students from in state pay about $4,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,897 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $82,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Nevada Reno ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $117,180. That is a strong return on a $20,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Nevada State College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,765 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,833. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Nevada State College earn a median of $85,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Carrington College Las Vegas landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, Carrington College Las Vegas is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,709 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carrington College Las Vegas generally make around $33,820. That is a strong return on a $13,709 median debt.
Everest College Henderson landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Vegas, Everest College Henderson is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,176. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,167. Nursing graduates of Everest College Henderson earn a median of $75,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,167 median debt.
Arizona College Las Vegas came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Arizona College Las Vegas is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,531. Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Arizona College Las Vegas earn a median of $85,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona College Las Vegas admits about 100% of applicants.
Chamberlain University Nevada landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, Chamberlain University Nevada is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $39,146. Early-career nursing graduates make about $83,188. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carrington College Reno landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Carrington College Reno is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Reno. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,500. Nursing graduates of Carrington College Reno earn a median of $82,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.