Best Nursing Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
10
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$83,647
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$20,116
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Health System School of Nursing | PA | +$276,040 | $55,802 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
Grad rate: 73.2% |
TN | +$87,023 | $46,991 | $12,797 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Northwest Technical Institute
Grad rate: 71.6% |
AR | +$23,328 | $43,968 | $16,032 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
Grad rate: 40.9% |
TN | +$7,246 | $43,003 | $12,814 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES-Practical Nursing Program
Grad rate: 65.0% |
NY | -$21,077 | $42,266 | $26,397 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Ridge Technical College
Grad rate: 79.6% |
FL | -$111,513 | $37,799 | $27,493 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
Grad rate: 71.4% |
TX | -$120,271 | $36,866 | $17,591 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland
Grad rate: 82.1% |
TN | -$176,255 | $34,067 | $17,595 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston
Grad rate: 71.8% |
TN | -$239,234 | $30,929 | $17,814 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations
Grad rate: 58.1% |
FL | -$561,759 | $15,538 | $32,519 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Nursing Degrees by State
Browse Nursing programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.