[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2125 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $103,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $110,626. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $101,531. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $98,811. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #5. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,134. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,194. Set against $22,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,375. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $103,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M International University placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,855 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,442. That is a strong return on a $18,855 median debt.
St Petersburg College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,261 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $80,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $119,356. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $93,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,800. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $103,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,800 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,036. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Pensacola State College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,617 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,185. That is a strong return on a $10,617 median debt.
Cuny York College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $113,718. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Florida Online placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $73,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,934. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $81,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $96,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,125. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $110,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Mainland came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dalton State College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,312. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $78,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
The ranking above is published 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 912 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).
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
