2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 289 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,944. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $121,767 early in their careers. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $125,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $78,850 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $15,990 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $86,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $23,674. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,475 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $83,306. Set against $8,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $103,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,632 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $75,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,258 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $132,090 early in their careers. Set against $17,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Nassau Community College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,214. That is a strong return on a $18,235 median debt.
Frederick Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $70,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,600. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,681. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $113,718. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Essex County College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,430. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,433. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $97,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,433 median debt.
Mercer County Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,631. Registered Nursing graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $74,795 early in their careers. Set against $18,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,896. That is a strong return on a $17,506 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,871 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $115,779. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson County Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $92,941. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $19,145 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $20,152 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $69,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Students borrow a median of $21,159 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,188. Set against $21,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,690. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Montgomery College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $15,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 228 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.
