2026 Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in nursing in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $139,841. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for nursing. 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. 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 $128,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

3

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 #3. 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $145,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #4 place for nursing. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $116,512 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,055. Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $150,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $193,133. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $137,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,661. Early-career nursing graduates make about $143,563. Set against $18,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,703. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,895. Early-career nursing graduates make about $114,379. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

12

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $103,484. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13

National University College Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

National University College Bayamon came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,723, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,418. Nursing graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $38,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,418 median debt.

14

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $103,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Nursing graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $101,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,452. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $108,040. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

17

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $98,411. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

18

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,832. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $110,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.

19

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,047 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $119,753 early in their careers. Set against $25,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

20

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,776. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

21

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $73,335. Set against $29,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

22

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,552. Early-career nursing graduates make about $108,669. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

23

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Nursing graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.

24

Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian
San Sebastian, PR

Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of San Sebastian, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,125. Students borrow a median of $16,725 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $34,916. Set against $16,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian admits about 96% of applicants.

25

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $115,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.