by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
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.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Camden County College this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,430 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $70,500 early in their careers. Set against $20,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,631. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $74,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $69,896. That is a strong return on a $17,506 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson County Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Nursing graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $92,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
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Burlington County College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $71,796. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Warren County Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Warren County Community College earn a median of $22,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $19,145 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,195 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Union County College earn a median of $82,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,929. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,366 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $80,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris placed #12 among the best values for nursing. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $73,336. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $76,147. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt.
Passaic County Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,581. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Ocean County College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,418. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $82,925. Set against $22,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Kean University earn a median of $101,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $90,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Montclair State University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,031. Early-career nursing graduates make about $104,219. Set against $27,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salem Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,395 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gloucester County College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $107,413. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,457 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $108,494. That is a strong return on a $24,457 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $109,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $108,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
