2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $69,403. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,717. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $62,630. Set against $17,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,833 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $63,650 early in their careers. Set against $13,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,996. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,242. Set against $23,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Marion Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,990 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $67,265 early in their careers. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,871 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,903 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $68,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,903 median debt.
Lakeland Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,989. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,881. That is a strong return on a $23,989 median debt.
Ohio University Southern Campus landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,131. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,420 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,420 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Belmont College is a small public school located in the rural area of St Clairsville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $58,414. That is a strong return on a $20,524 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. 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.
Owens Community College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,168 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,756. That is a strong return on a $27,168 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,750. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $66,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,067. Registered Nursing graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $67,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,067 median debt.
University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,723, compared with $15,403 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $36,776. Set against $21,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $106,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Southern State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,912, with out-of-state students paying around $10,818. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,490 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 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 University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $102,988. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.
