by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values 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, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $8,950 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 #3. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $19,345 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $73,137. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $62,734. Set against $12,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $66,508. Set against $9,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,635. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $18,209 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Triton College earn a median of $63,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Oakton Community College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $69,434. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,372. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $56,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Kankakee Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,550. Registered Nursing graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $66,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,550 median debt.
Rock Valley College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $68,229. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,122. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,277. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $10,793 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,081. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,660 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,086. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.
Morton College placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,702 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Morton College earn a median of $65,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,005. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $72,472 early in their careers. Set against $12,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,187. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,691. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.