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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,676. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $74,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,613 in student loans. 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.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,412. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,145. Set against $25,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,955. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $67,922. That is a strong return on a $19,955 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $66,602. Set against $20,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
Monroe County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Shore Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $16,010 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $68,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $69,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $28,310 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $34,334. Registered Nursing graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $73,034 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $39,231 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $108,929. That is a strong return on a $39,231 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. Students from in state pay about $5,445 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,423 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Lake Michigan College earn a median of $71,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,423 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,254. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $64,034. That is a strong return on a $22,254 median debt.
Jackson Community College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Students borrow a median of $22,387 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $75,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,387 median debt.
Montcalm Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. In-state tuition and fees average $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,757. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,396. Set against $25,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,487 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,080. That is a strong return on a $24,487 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $24,228 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $64,122. That is a strong return on a $24,228 median debt.
Ferris State University came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $77,657. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $19,991 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $69,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.