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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Bellingham Technical College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Washington. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $83,313. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grays Harbor College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,769. Registered Nursing graduates of Grays Harbor College earn a median of $81,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Peninsula College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,746 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle Community College Central Campus earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,312. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $83,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,728 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $77,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,728 median debt.
Skagit Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,325. Registered Nursing graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $71,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olympic College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $86,089. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Centralia College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,740.
Lower Columbia College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Longview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, compared with $6,003 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,103 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Basin College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Students borrow a median of $12,562 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $81,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walla Walla Community College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,279, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,625. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,416. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt.
Tacoma Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $82,447. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $100,878. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Shoreline Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Students borrow a median of $16,334 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $78,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whatcom Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,726 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,805. That is a strong return on a $17,726 median debt.
Clark College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,446. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $63,543. Set against $11,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College generally make around $69,107. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yakima Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,312, while out-of-state students pay about $5,873. Students borrow a median of $17,884 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,316. That is a strong return on a $17,884 median debt.
Everett Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $79,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $39,975. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Wenatchee Valley College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,552, while out-of-state students pay about $5,054. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $81,293. Set against $14,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $100,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Highline Community College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $84,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,766 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $89,677 early in their careers. Set against $18,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.