2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 76 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Delaware County Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,075 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,322. Set against $27,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,282. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $78,511. That is a strong return on a $24,820 median debt.
Holy Family University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $103,544 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Butler County Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $18,576 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $76,711 early in their careers. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $63,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $73,236 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,041. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $86,430 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Reading Area Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,979. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Community College Of Beaver County ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Monaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $63,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,772. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $62,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,772 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,936. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus earn a median of $48,279 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $110,490. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $80,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
La Salle University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $110,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton generally make around $45,053. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Waynesburg University landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,878. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $35,187 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $84,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $88,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
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
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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
