by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Colorado Mountain College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Colorado. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,039. Set against $14,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Morgan Community College one of the best values for nursing. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,238 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,759. That is a strong return on a $17,238 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,471. Nursing graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Community College Of Aurora one of the best values for nursing. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,365. Early-career nursing graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aims Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $21,131 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $72,869. Set against $21,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $73,926. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $71,237. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt.
Front Range Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,625. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,801 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $66,009. That is a strong return on a $20,801 median debt.
Otero Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Otero Junior College is a small public school located in the town of La Junta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $74,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $70,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,475 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $95,058 early in their careers. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northeastern Junior College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,730, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $68,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,119 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $30,319 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earn a median of $112,460 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa State College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $69,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Nursing graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $97,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $101,201. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Regis University came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,427. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $94,010. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $54,709. Nursing graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $71,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Aurora earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Greenwood Village, Platt College Aurora is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,347. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $51,933. Nursing graduates of Platt College Aurora earn a median of $76,390 early in their careers. Set against $51,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.