2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maryland

[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.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Montgomery College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Students borrow a median of $15,172 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Prince Georges Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $89,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carroll Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $74,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hagerstown Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Maryland earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $73,576. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $66,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chesapeake College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,261 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $72,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,261 median debt.
Harford Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,896. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,823. Set against $16,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large 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.
Wor Wic Community College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $70,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,857. Registered Nursing graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $75,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt.
Cecil College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,599, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,307. That is a strong return on a $24,560 median debt.
Coppin State University placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $36,369. Registered Nursing graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $84,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,309 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Frostburg State University placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Baltimore City Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,850 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $73,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,378. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $80,344. Set against $23,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Salisbury University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,297. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,477. Set against $24,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $105,622. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Washington Adventist University earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Takoma Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,604. Students borrow a median of $47,033 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Washington Adventist University generally make around $85,352. Set against $47,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington Adventist University admits about 46% of applicants.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $94,183 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bowie State University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $70,278. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hood College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,873. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Hood College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.