2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. 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.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $98,926. That is a strong return on a $16,152 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,075. Registered Nursing graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,457. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $119,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego City College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $29,495. Set against $16,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 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. Registered Nursing graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $92,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $5,707. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $122,354. That is a strong return on a $18,964 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Riverside City College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. 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.
Imperial Valley College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,226. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,250. Registered Nursing graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #18 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,729. 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.
Victor Valley College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $91,138. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,000. 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.
California State University Fullerton placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $156,309. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Butte College earned the #24 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $104,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $107,024. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
Narrow Registered Nursing Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 254 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 175 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
