2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Indiana
[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 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $93,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,379. Set against $26,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $29,890 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,335. Set against $29,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $38,512 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $96,363 early in their careers. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,719. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $66,302 early in their careers. Set against $25,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $92,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,089. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,455. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $91,063. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,155. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $95,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,412 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Vincennes University came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $61,818. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goshen College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $88,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $90,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Chamberlain University Indiana ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Chamberlain University Indiana is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $39,146. Registered Nursing graduates of Chamberlain University Indiana earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $32,570. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $82,099. Set against $32,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $71,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,366. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $92,786. Set against $27,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Manchester College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,135. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,833 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Manchester College earn a median of $52,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $68,848. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Huntington University landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,870 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $71,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $89,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $96,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
