[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 297 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $71,988 early in their careers. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $69,619. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $63,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. 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, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,889. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $26,613 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $71,268. Set against $26,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,437 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $25,412 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
Richland Community College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $68,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Delta College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $19,955 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Delta College earn a median of $67,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,955 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $20,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $60,115. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,751 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,602. Set against $20,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,175. Registered Nursing graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $62,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,175 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,717. 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.
Lorain County Community College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,996 in student loans. 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.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $92,379. Set against $26,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oakton Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $69,434. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Danville Area Community College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,372 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $65,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,010. Registered Nursing graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $68,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,010 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,552. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $93,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Triton College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $18,209 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,903 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $68,156. 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), 2027 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 · 297 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 297 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.
