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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1036 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
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 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. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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, 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. That is a strong return on a $16,152 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at San Joaquin Delta College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $6,382. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,843. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot 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, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $90,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $11,279 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
South Texas College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $16,739 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $98,493. Set against $16,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,332. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,187. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $70,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,617. 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 placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,531 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $69,971 early in their careers. Set against $10,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,629. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $99,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Mainland placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $74,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,235. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Yuba College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,729. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $117,283. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. 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 $22,100. Registered Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $67,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,100 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,896. That is a strong return on a $17,506 median debt.
Solano Community College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
College Of The Canyons ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $97,457. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $11,416 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
The following schools rounded out the strongest registered nursing values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #151 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #152 | Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | Full Report |
| #153 | Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | Full Report |
| #154 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | Full Report |
| #155 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Full Report |
| #156 | Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in registered nursing:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #207 | Orange County Community College | Middletown, NY | Full Report |
| #208 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Full Report |
Explore the best-value registered nursing schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1036 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,036 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.