2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 2125 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $128,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for registered nursing. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $116,512. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $150,048 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $193,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $137,158. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,661. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $143,563. Set against $18,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. 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. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $114,379 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $103,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
National University College Bayamon landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,723, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,418 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $38,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,740 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $103,426. That is a strong return on a $21,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $101,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $98,411. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $108,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,832. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $110,585 early in their careers. Set against $26,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,890 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $73,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,890 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,047. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $119,753. Set against $25,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,000. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $108,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Florida landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $115,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $19,733 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $112,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% 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:
Other Registered Nursing Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Registered Nursing rankings across degree levels:
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 2125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 178 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.
