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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (With Aid)

228 Ranked Colleges
18,126 Degrees Awarded
$21,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

With 259,493 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, registered nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 18,126 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 228 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree registered nursing students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (With Aid)

Out of the 228 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Cal State LA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Registered Nursing Report

Out of the 228 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 21 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540.

Full Stan State Registered Nursing Report

Top 15% in overall quality

Out of the 228 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

FIU excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Florida International University

Out of the 228 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #5 spot on the list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 68 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Registered Nursing at California State University - Fullerton

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Fresno State

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Registered Nursing Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 18 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #21 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Registered Nursing Report

#9

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#5 in overall quality

Yale University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 116 students in 2019-2020.

Yale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Yale University Registered Nursing Report

Top 25% in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 116 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - Long Beach

#11

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. UWF is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894.

Full The University of West Florida Registered Nursing Report

#12

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large school is located in Fort Myers, Florida, and it awarded 18 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at FGCU

Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 251 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Registered Nursing Report

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. IU Northwest is a public institution located in Gary, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at IU Northwest

#15

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB Registered Nursing Report

#16

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 25 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Purdue also did well on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Purdue

#17

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 92 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Central Florida

#18

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

Purdue University Northwest came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Purdue Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Northwest are $11,633, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Purdue University Northwest

#19

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. McNeese State University is a public institution located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 47 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at McNeese are $16,386.

Full McNeese Registered Nursing Report

#20

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Appalachian State

#21

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

With a ranking of #21, Augusta University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Augusta University is located in Augusta, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Augusta University

#22

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 108 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Kentucky University Registered Nursing Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Sac State

University of Louisiana at Monroe came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, Louisiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 46 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisiana at Monroe are $21,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 62 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Flint Registered Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 35 in Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#28

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#29

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#30

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#31

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia
#32

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#35

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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