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 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Snow College the best value for a degree in nursing in Utah. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,299. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $63,865. That is a strong return on a $13,299 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $15,085 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,085 median debt.
Western Governors University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $93,055. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,741. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,187. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.
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Southern Utah University came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $65,898. That is a strong return on a $11,993 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,083. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $60,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,106. Early-career nursing graduates make about $92,469. That is a strong return on a $22,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $7,830 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $62,164. Set against $7,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,503. Nursing graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $69,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westminster College Utah landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $43,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Westminster College Utah generally make around $90,552. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Nightingale College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Nightingale College is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nightingale College generally make around $73,271. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt.
Fortis College Salt Lake City ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Fortis College Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $13,474 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,267 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fortis College Salt Lake City earn a median of $65,516 early in their careers. Set against $35,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eagle Gate College Murray came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Murray, Eagle Gate College Murray is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,548 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $52,292 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Eagle Gate College Murray earn a median of $66,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $52,292 median debt.
Ameritech College Draper placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Draper, Ameritech College Draper is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,260. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,134. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ameritech College Draper generally make around $68,905. Set against $31,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Provo College Provo landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Provo College Provo is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,548. Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,285 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,317. That is a strong return on a $51,285 median debt.
Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Murray, Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,587 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City generally make around $85,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City admits about 100% of applicants.
Eagle Gate College Layton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Layton, Eagle Gate College Layton is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $52,292. Nursing graduates of Eagle Gate College Layton earn a median of $66,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.