[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 333 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in the Great Lakes Region. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $70,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,950. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $63,651. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,345 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,137. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $26,613 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $71,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,412. Registered Nursing graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $70,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $67,152. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $74,889 early in their careers. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $19,955 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $67,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $69,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,437. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.
Joliet Junior College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,617. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,751. Registered Nursing graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $66,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,751 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $12,005 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,115. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,717 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $62,630. Set against $17,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montcalm Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,104. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,757. Registered Nursing graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $68,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $69,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,010 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $68,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,209. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $63,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $70,929. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $69,403. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,789. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $65,793. That is a strong return on a $19,789 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $23,996 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $64,242. That is a strong return on a $23,996 median debt.
North Central State College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,833 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $63,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $20,416 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $66,279. That is a strong return on a $20,416 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
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 · 333 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 271 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/) 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.
