2023 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing
1,660
Ranked Colleges
266,651
Degrees Awarded
$11,200
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 266,651 registered nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country.
This year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools” ranking analyzed 1,660 colleges that offered a degree in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Governors University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 10,730 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.
WGU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend WGU is $9,969 for Registered Nursing students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Registered Nursing at Western Governors University
Out of the 1,660 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 876 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UOPX - Arizona also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Phoenix - Arizona is $13,038 for registered nursing students.
Read more about Registered Nursing at University of Phoenix - Arizona
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 3,223 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Capella University is in the top on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Capella University is $16,545 for registered nursing students.
Full Capella University Registered Nursing Report
Out of the 1,660 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #4 spot on the list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 5,204 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Grand Canyon University is also in the top of our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for registered nursing students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Registered Nursing at Grand Canyon University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 5,004 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Walden University is in the top on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at Walden University
Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 130 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for registered nursing students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Registered Nursing at BYU
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 328 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, South Dakota State is in the top on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,578 for Registered Nursing students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State Registered Nursing Report
Southern Regional Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking, coming in at #8. Southern Regional Technical College is a small school located in Thomasville, Georgia that handed out 105 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Southern Regional Technical College is $-1,172 for Registered Nursing students. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.
Full Southwest Georgia Technical College Registered Nursing Report
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. This medium-sized school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 919 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
TTUHSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Registered Nursing at TTUHSC
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, L.A. County School of Nursing also did well on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health Registered Nursing Report
With a ranking of #11, El Centro College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 203 students in 2020-2021.
El Centro College excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend El Centro College is $4,739 for Registered Nursing students.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at El Centro College
Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 450 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Rasmussen University - Illinois is in the top on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Illinois is $18,908 for Registered Nursing students.
Full Rasmussen University - Illinois Registered Nursing Report
With a ranking of #13, Wilmington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. This fairly large school is located in New Castle, Delaware, and it awarded 415 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Wilmington University is also in the top of our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It costs about $15,186 for Registered Nursing students per year to attend Wilmington University.
Full Wilmington University Registered Nursing Report
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. SUNY Downstate is located in Brooklyn, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.
SUNY Downstate not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Registered Nursing at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Lone Star College System came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, this large public school awarded 697 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.
North Harris Montgomery also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $8,711 for Registered Nursing students per year to attend North Harris Montgomery.
Read more about Registered Nursing at Lone Star College System
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Dover, Delaware is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 420 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Delaware Tech is also in the top of our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Delaware Technical Community College - Terry is $8,479 for Registered Nursing students.
Full Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Registered Nursing Report
With a ranking of #17, Gateway Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Gateway Technical College is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.
Gateway Technical College excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $8,487 for Registered Nursing students per year to attend Gateway Technical College.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at Gateway Technical College
Valencia College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. Valencia College is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 388 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Valencia College also did well on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $5,354 for Registered Nursing students.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at Valencia College
Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Ocala, Florida, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 1,443 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Florida excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Florida is $19,249 for Registered Nursing students.
Read more about Registered Nursing at Rasmussen University - Florida
With a ranking of #20, Excelsior College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Excelsior College is a fairly large school located in Albany, New York that handed out 1,641 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Excelsior College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at Excelsior College
With a ranking of #21, Tarrant County College District did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this large public school handed out 293 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.
Tarrant County College excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College District is $5,147 for Registered Nursing students.
Full Tarrant County College District Registered Nursing Report
Mississippi University for Women came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. This small school is located in Columbus, Mississippi, and it awarded 490 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
MUW also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend MUW is $12,761 for registered nursing students.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at MUW
With a ranking of #23, Highline College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list. Highline College is a public institution located in Des Moines, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Highline College is $6,342 for registered nursing students.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at Highline College
South Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking, coming in at #24. South Texas College is a large school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 320 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $1,504 for registered nursing students per year to attend South Texas College.
Read full report on Registered Nursing at South Texas College
Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking, coming in at #25. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 230 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools” list. It costs about $17,634 for registered nursing students per year to attend Winona State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Registered Nursing at Winona State