by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Manchester Community College Nh earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in New Hampshire. Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Median earnings reach $49,063 ten years out.
Granite State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, compared with $9,284 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 Granite State College generally make around $55,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nashua Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,140, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,608 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Nashua Community College earn a median of $24,074 early in their careers. Set against $10,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
White Mountains Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. White Mountains Community College is a small public school located in the town of Berlin. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $15,300. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Keene State College one of the best values for nursing. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $74,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Great Bay Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Great Bay Community College generally make around $73,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Plymouth State University landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,906. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lakes Region Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Laconia, Lakes Region Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,720, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,182.
Nhti Concords Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Concord. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Students borrow a median of $25,006 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Nhti Concords Community College earn a median of $74,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,006 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $111,076 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
River Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. River Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Claremont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,940, compared with $15,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,824 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from River Valley Community College generally make around $75,282. Set against $27,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Colby Sawyer College earn a median of $78,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Franklin Pierce University earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rindge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,442. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,870. Nursing graduates of Franklin Pierce University earn a median of $76,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rivier College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua. Students from in state pay about $39,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $83,130. Set against $32,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,470 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $85,600 early in their careers. Set against $31,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Saint Anselm College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,920. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.