[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 252 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. 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. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $125,790. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,990. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $86,295. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,675 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,475. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $83,306. Set against $8,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $103,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,850. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. 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 Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,632. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $75,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,632 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,258. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $132,090. Set against $17,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,125. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $113,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Essex County College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,430. Registered Nursing graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $70,500 early in their careers. Set against $20,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,631 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $74,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,631 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,433 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,888. That is a strong return on a $11,433 median debt.
Nassau Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,235 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $81,214 early in their careers. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,444. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,415. That is a strong return on a $17,444 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $18,871 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $115,779 early in their careers. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Burlington County College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,450. Registered Nursing graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $71,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,491. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,159 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,145 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $82,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,145 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, 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 rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 252 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 252 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
