[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 434 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $139,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $145,897 early in their careers. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $116,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $193,133. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $146,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $128,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among 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, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,552 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $108,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,231 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $118,273 early in their careers. Set against $39,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $98,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University East Bay placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,875. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $124,392. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $103,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $95,703. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $103,484. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,047 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $119,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,452. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $108,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Purdue University Global placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $38,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $107,024. Set against $38,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,430. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $108,536. Set against $29,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,196 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $77,946 early in their careers. Set against $25,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $101,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,740. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $103,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $112,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $115,543. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $104,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 434 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 434 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).
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
