by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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.
Kennebec Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Maine. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,922 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York County Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,757. Nursing graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $35,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $23,724 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $66,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Eastern Maine Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $32,818 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $69,158. Set against $32,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Northern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northern Maine Community College earn a median of $66,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Maine At Fort Kent earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine At Fort Kent generally make around $71,551. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
Southern Maine Community College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $67,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,510 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,845. That is a strong return on a $29,510 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $87,246. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,952. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,875. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions earn a median of $68,704 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions admits about 71% of applicants.
Husson University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,420. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Josephs College Of Maine generally make around $91,389. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Beal College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Beal College is a small private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,557 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $47,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New England came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $155,409. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.