[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1890 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
Finding the Best Value Registered Nursing School for You
The right registered nursing school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Registered Nursing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Registered Nursing Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,152. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $98,926. That is a strong return on a $16,152 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $121,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $122,354 early in their careers. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $93,142 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $125,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,075. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $97,843. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $99,339. Set against $11,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,739. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $98,493. That is a strong return on a $16,739 median debt.
Cerritos College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,531. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $69,971. That is a strong return on a $10,531 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $91,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,187. Registered Nursing graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $70,630 early in their careers. Set against $17,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $99,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,036. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $69,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Yuba College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $117,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,681. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $74,004. That is a strong return on a $22,681 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,675 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $23,674. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Registered Nursing. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1890 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,890 ranked schools only.
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).
by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
