2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky

1

Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard, KY

Our analysis ranked Hazard Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in nursing in Kentucky. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $65,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Somerset Community College
Somerset, KY

A rank of #2 makes Somerset Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,842 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Bowling Green, KY

A rank of #3 makes Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Cumberland, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $11,729 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,729 median debt.

5

Berea College
Berea, KY

A rank of #5 makes Berea College one of the best values for nursing. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $67,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.

6

Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, KY

Hopkinsville Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,409 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $65,979. That is a strong return on a $19,409 median debt.

7

West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Paducah, KY

West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,000. Nursing graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Big Sandy Community And Technical College
Prestonsburg, KY

Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $65,735. That is a strong return on a $17,550 median debt.

9

Ashland Community And Technical College
Ashland, KY

Ashland Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $18,756 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $64,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,756 median debt.

10

Owensboro Community And Technical College
Owensboro, KY

Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Set against $13,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,137 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,002 early in their careers. Set against $13,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Gateway Community And Technical College
Florence, KY

Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $23,376 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $67,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Henderson Community College
Henderson, KY

Henderson Community College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $58,754. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt.

14

Maysville Community And Technical College
Maysville, KY

Maysville Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,217. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, KY

Madisonville Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,999. Nursing graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Jefferson Community And Technical College
Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,271. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $63,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Lexington, KY

Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $62,832. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt.

18

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $102,793. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

19

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,082 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $127,240 early in their careers. Set against $25,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $79,966 early in their careers. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. That is a strong return on a $23,665 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands placed #23 among the best values for nursing. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $29,400 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,456. Set against $29,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

24

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $70,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

25

Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Students from in state pay about $24,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,379. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $79,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.