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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
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.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in West Virginia. Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of South Charleston. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,375. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,830. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
West Virginia Northern Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Wheeling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,706, while out-of-state students pay about $12,698. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,473. That is a strong return on a $13,940 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $68,897 early in their careers. Set against $26,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,163 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,993. That is a strong return on a $19,163 median debt.
New River Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,646. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,187. Early-career nursing graduates make about $44,588. Set against $8,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Marshall University came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $110,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fairmont State University came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $32,313 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $73,772 early in their careers. Set against $32,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
American Public University System came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,384. Nursing graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $95,322 early in their careers. Set against $28,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Logan, Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,136, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,153.
Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,722 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $28,134. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
West Virginia State University came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. In-state tuition and fees average $9,570, while out-of-state students pay about $14,990. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,452. Early-career nursing graduates make about $37,970. That is a strong return on a $28,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Shepherd University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Students borrow a median of $27,206 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $75,914 early in their careers. Set against $27,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Bluefield State College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,648, with out-of-state students paying around $18,376. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bluefield State College generally make around $64,695. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia Junior College Charleston earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Cross Lanes, West Virginia Junior College Charleston is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,785. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem International University placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Salem, Salem International University is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,070. Students borrow a median of $37,874 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $51,133. Set against $37,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Liberty University landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,893, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. Students borrow a median of $29,408 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of West Liberty University earn a median of $71,848 early in their careers. Set against $29,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Liberty University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Bridgeport, West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,798. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,785. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $103,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Virginia Junior College Morgantown came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia Junior College Morgantown is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,798. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,181 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Junior College Morgantown generally make around $68,238. That is a strong return on a $24,181 median debt.
Wheeling Jesuit University landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Wheeling, Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,875. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wheeling Jesuit University generally make around $38,212. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Davis And Elkins College placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,820. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Davis And Elkins College generally make around $71,201. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $68,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Valley College Beckley landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Valley College Beckley is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Beckley. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $19,046. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Valley College Martinsburg placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Martinsburg, Valley College Martinsburg is a small private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,930 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Valley College Martinsburg generally make around $29,022. That is a strong return on a $14,930 median debt.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.