2026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $72,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. 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. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,075. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $78,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,820. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $78,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $103,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Butler County Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,576. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,946. That is a strong return on a $18,576 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,772 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $62,668 early in their careers. Set against $22,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $73,041. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $73,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Reading Area Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $76,711. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt.
Community College Of Beaver County earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500, while out-of-state students pay about $20,700. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of $63,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $63,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $80,020. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #17 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $68,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lemont Furnace. In-state tuition and fees average $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $110,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,770, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $68,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,849 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $79,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Francis University came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,579 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $72,930. Set against $30,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
