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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 215 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.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,733. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,625. Nursing graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,187. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,630. Set against $17,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $74,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $74,310. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,036. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Alvin Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $14,231 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $79,996. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $10,601 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $70,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $67,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,110. Nursing graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $67,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,467 in student loans. Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers. Set against $16,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,300. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $70,026. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $72,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $13,346 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,791. Set against $13,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,900. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,007. Set against $14,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $73,793. That is a strong return on a $15,087 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,334 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $70,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,338 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,684. Set against $17,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $78,115. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,478. Nursing graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $59,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Clovis Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 215 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 168 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.