2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 156 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in California. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $91,961. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
College Of San Mateo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the registered nursing program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $98,926 early in their careers. Set against $16,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. 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. Set against $12,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,718. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $92,486. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Imperial Valley College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $77,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
Ventura College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. 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.
Riverside City College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,869. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Victor Valley College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. 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.
Santa Ana College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,739 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $98,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,739 median debt.
Solano Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #22 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, 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. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Redwoods ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. 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:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
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 · 156 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
