2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Leading the list is Ivy Tech Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Indiana. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $65,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for registered nursing. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,552. Registered Nursing graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $93,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,890 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,335. That is a strong return on a $29,890 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,719 in student loans. 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 Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,408. 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.
Indiana University East ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,412. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $91,255 early in their careers. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $91,063. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Vincennes University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,818. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt.
Indiana State University placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. 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, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,155 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $95,570. That is a strong return on a $30,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Global came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. 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.
Huntington University earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,870. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,934. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Ball State University earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,411. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Goshen College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Manchester College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $25,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Manchester College admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,187. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $89,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $68,848 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Evansville placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,366 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $92,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,366 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,460. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,570 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Anderson University Indiana placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,240. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of $64,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Anderson University Indiana admits about 79% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $96,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. 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
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
