2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New York

[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New York
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 New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,055. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $125,790. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,675. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $17,675 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,295. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. 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.
Cuny York College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $78,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. 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 College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,258 in student loans. 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. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $10,632 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $75,260 early in their careers. Set against $10,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,444 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,415. Set against $17,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. 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. Set against $11,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $115,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,159. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $79,188. That is a strong return on a $21,159 median debt.
Ulster County Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,109 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,265. That is a strong return on a $28,109 median debt.
Niagara County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,260. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Monroe Community College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $69,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,152. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $69,885. Set against $20,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fulton Montgomery Community College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,048, compared with $11,448 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,400. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,436. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,638. That is a strong return on a $27,436 median debt.
Farmingdale State College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $21,646 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $103,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,646 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,853. Registered Nursing graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $68,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 95 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.