by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 2125 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $91,961. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $90,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,152 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $98,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,075. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $75,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,718 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $89,869. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,457. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Pima Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,332 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $16,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego City College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,514. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Santa Ana College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $98,493. That is a strong return on a $16,739 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $10,531 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $69,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,332. Registered Nursing graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $70,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,332 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Butte College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,375. Registered Nursing graduates of Butte College earn a median of $104,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Shasta College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $99,544. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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 earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,100. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $67,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $107,024. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest registered nursing values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #126 | Halifax Community College | Weldon, NC | Full Report |
| #127 | Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | Full Report |
| #128 | Somerset Community College | Somerset, KY | Full Report |
| #129 | Southeastern Community College Whiteville | Whiteville, NC | Full Report |
| #130 | Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | Full Report |
| #131 | Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden, AL | Full Report |
| #132 | Mercer County Community College | West Windsor, NJ | Full Report |
| #133 | Community College Of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | Full Report |
| #134 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | Full Report |
| #135 | College Of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | Full Report |
| #136 | Pasco Hernando Community College | New Port Richey, FL | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in registered nursing:
Explore the best-value registered nursing schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 901 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.