by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 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.
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,173. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $73,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for nursing. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $72,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $69,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $21,448 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $66,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Wilkes Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,125. Nursing graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $62,962 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,278. Nursing graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $65,112 early in their careers. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,098. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $70,497. That is a strong return on a $10,098 median debt.
Johnston Community College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,167 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,366. That is a strong return on a $13,167 median debt.
Stanly Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,008.
Halifax Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,982.
Rockingham Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $63,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $61,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $69,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $67,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Haywood Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Nursing graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $58,923 early in their careers.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $72,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,349. Nursing graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $63,478 early in their careers. Set against $10,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $64,013. That is a strong return on a $23,275 median debt.
Lenoir Community College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $67,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,617. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $61,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $72,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Tri County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Murphy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,508, with out-of-state students paying around $8,652. Nursing graduates of Tri County Community College earn a median of $69,455 early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.