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 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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.
Flathead Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Montana. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,912, with out-of-state students paying around $11,659. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,187 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Miles Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,500, compared with $11,220 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,199 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salish Kootenai College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, while out-of-state students pay about $11,583. Nursing graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Great Falls College Montana State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,028 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,911. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,034 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Montana State University Northern, which ranked #5. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,486 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montana State University Northern generally make around $77,121. Set against $30,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
Helena College University Of Montana landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,692 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,902. That is a strong return on a $29,692 median debt.
Montana State University Billings placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,869. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $72,000. Set against $29,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Students borrow a median of $35,839 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earn a median of $74,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $34,743. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $67,743. That is a strong return on a $34,743 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Montana State University landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $86,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Great Falls earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,847. Nursing graduates of University Of Great Falls earn a median of $101,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Helena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,484. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $75,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll College admits about 71% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
