by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Bellingham Technical College the best value for a degree in nursing in Washington. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $83,313. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Grays Harbor College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,593 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,769 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Grays Harbor College earn a median of $81,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peninsula College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,746. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $79,369. That is a strong return on a $16,746 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,312 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $83,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Spokane Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $25,728 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,999. That is a strong return on a $25,728 median debt.
Skagit Valley College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Students borrow a median of $19,325 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $71,639. Set against $19,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $86,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Centralia College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Centralia College generally make around $77,740.
Lower Columbia College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, compared with $6,003 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,103 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lower Columbia College earn a median of $75,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,103 median debt.
Columbia Basin College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,562. Nursing graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $81,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $75,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tacoma Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $82,447 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $100,878. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Shoreline Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, compared with $7,905 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,334 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $78,850 early in their careers. Set against $16,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Whatcom Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, while out-of-state students pay about $11,435. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,726 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,805. That is a strong return on a $17,726 median debt.
Clark College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,446 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Clark College earn a median of $63,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,446 median debt.
South Puget Sound Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,818. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $69,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt.
Yakima Valley Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,312, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,884 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $78,316. Set against $17,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,418, compared with $5,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wenatchee Valley College placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,552, with out-of-state students paying around $5,054. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wenatchee Valley College generally make around $81,293. That is a strong return on a $14,644 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $100,878. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Highline Community College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,000. Nursing graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $84,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,766 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,677. That is a strong return on a $18,766 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. 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.