2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,717. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $23,996 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #3. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,403. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt.
North Central State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,833 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,650. That is a strong return on a $13,833 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,871 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $61,548. Set against $26,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,990. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,265. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $70,131. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Median earnings reach $46,600 ten years out. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Edison State Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,420 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,930. That is a strong return on a $21,420 median debt.
Lakeland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,989 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,881. That is a strong return on a $23,989 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,778. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $70,131. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $27,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washington State Community College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,067 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $67,695. Set against $20,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Ohio Technical College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $66,324. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Ohio University Southern Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,698 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. Set against $20,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $106,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Clark State Community College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $63,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern State Community College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,912, compared with $10,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,490 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern State Community College earn a median of $62,085 early in their careers. Set against $18,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Lake Campus placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,372, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $70,327. Set against $25,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,404. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 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
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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
