2026 Best Value School Nursing Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for school nursing in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $16,944. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $51,372. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in school nursing will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,408 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

5

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $96,796. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in school nursing this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $91,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

7

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

8

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #8 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #9 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $22,956. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $56,168. That is a strong return on a $22,956 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #10 spot for school nursing value this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $117,180. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #11 spot for school nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $100,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

12

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #12 position for value in school nursing this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $103,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,165 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

13

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University came in at #13 for value in school nursing this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $18,349. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $18,349 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.

14

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #14 for value in school nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #15 spot for school nursing value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,215 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $28,215 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in school nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $25,987. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #17 position for value in school nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $117,350. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

18

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo placed #18 among the best values for school nursing. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $76,736. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

19

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #19 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

20

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value school nursing schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,205 to complete the school nursing program here. School Nursing graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Set against $23,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

22

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College earned the #22 position for value in school nursing this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $91,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

23

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #23 for value in school nursing this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

24

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #24 among the best values for school nursing. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $83,999. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #25 for value in school nursing this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. School Nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.