by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
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.
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $73,629. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $70,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
Mohave 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 Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,812. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yavapai College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $74,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cochise College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,339. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,412. That is a strong return on a $10,339 median debt.
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Northland Pioneer College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $71,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Phoenix College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,843. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $24,741 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $75,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,741 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,003 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $34,003 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,225 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,062. That is a strong return on a $21,225 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $22,806 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $67,572 early in their careers. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coconino Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $2,907, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $68,955. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
Mesa Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $73,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,136. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $96,796. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $27,235 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $111,973 early in their careers. Set against $27,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $73,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $115,226. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,761. Nursing graduates of Pima Medical Institute Mesa earn a median of $73,509 early in their careers. Set against $29,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,944. Students borrow a median of $51,854 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson generally make around $85,169. Set against $51,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona College Of Allied Health placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona College Of Allied Health is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,141. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $51,854. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona College Of Allied Health generally make around $85,169. That is a strong return on a $51,854 median debt. Arizona College Of Allied Health admits about 100% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
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This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.