by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 126 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Texas. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brazosport College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the nursing program here. 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 #3. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,187. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,630. That is a strong return on a $17,187 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #5 place for nursing. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,000. Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,036. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Alvin Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,231. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,294. Set against $14,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,500. Nursing graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $79,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,601. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $70,673. That is a strong return on a $10,601 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $67,872. Set against $26,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,610 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,069. Set against $16,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $78,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Students borrow a median of $14,900 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,007. That is a strong return on a $14,900 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,087. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $59,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $17,338 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $67,684. Set against $17,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $78,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,674. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $101,468. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Laredo Community College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $78,162. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,847 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,713. Set against $18,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $33,385. Nursing graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,775. Nursing graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $68,521 early in their careers. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Midland College earn a median of $62,761 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,099. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $75,319. Set against $15,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,864. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $66,556. That is a strong return on a $17,864 median debt.
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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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.