2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for nursing in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $72,491. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $24,820 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #3. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $27,075 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $78,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Westmoreland County Community College
Youngwood, PA

Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #5. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $103,544. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.

7

Butler County Community College
Butler, PA

Butler County Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $63,946. That is a strong return on a $18,576 median debt.

8

Community College Of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA

Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,772. Nursing graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $62,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $73,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $73,236 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.

12

Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA

Luzerne County Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,711. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt.

13

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,979. Nursing graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Community College Of Beaver County
Monaca, PA

Community College Of Beaver County landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,500. Nursing graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of $63,237 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $63,953. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,020 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $68,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

19

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton
Dunmore, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.

20

York College Pennsylvania
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $110,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

21

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus
Lemont Furnace, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,134 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

22

University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
Bradford, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,849. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

24

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto
Mont Alto, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Mont Alto, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto admits about 98% of applicants.

25

Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,579 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.