2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Maryland

[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 28 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Frederick Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Maryland. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,649. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Carroll Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,079. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Wor Wic Community College one of the best values for nursing. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,857. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $75,725. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for nursing. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,172. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $15,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coppin State University landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Nursing graduates carry a median of $36,369 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $84,702 early in their careers. Set against $36,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
Chesapeake College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,261. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $72,090. Set against $11,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,850 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $73,091. That is a strong return on a $10,850 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,996. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Maryland placed #10 among the best values for nursing. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,500. Nursing graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $73,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harford Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,896 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $74,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cecil College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.
Howard Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,560. Nursing graduates of Howard Community College earn a median of $71,307 early in their careers. Set against $24,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $66,303. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,084. Nursing graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $92,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,084 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,437. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan State University landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,309. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,641. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Frostburg State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $82,617. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Washington Adventist University landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,604. Students borrow a median of $47,033 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $85,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
Salisbury University placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,297 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $76,477. That is a strong return on a $24,297 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,378. Nursing graduates of Towson University earn a median of $80,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $105,622. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Bowie State University earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $70,278. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hood College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,873. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.