by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 23 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.
Our analysis ranked Coahoma Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,846. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Mississippi Delta Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,909. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $74,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,063 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $65,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Mississippi Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,080 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $70,513. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pearl River Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,700, with out-of-state students paying around $6,100. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,190. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Nursing graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Itawamba Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $60,245. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
East Central Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,090. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $59,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,000. Nursing graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $67,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Meridian Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,078, with out-of-state students paying around $6,478. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,545. Nursing graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of $65,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,545 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,413 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,438. Set against $18,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,362 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,472. That is a strong return on a $17,362 median debt.
Jones County Junior College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ellisville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,107. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Northeast Mississippi Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Booneville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $7,750 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeast Mississippi Community College generally make around $60,759. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,260. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,373. Set against $19,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Delta State University placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,590 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,221. Set against $23,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Alcorn State University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,683. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $85,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $119,800. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
William Carey University earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,469. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Mississippi College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $69,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Belhaven University placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,706 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,794. That is a strong return on a $27,706 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.