2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the New England Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 93 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for registered nursing in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,988 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $75,351. Set against $15,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Springfield Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,135 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,008. Registered Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Rhode Island one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $66,988 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,427. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Bunker Hill Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,971. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,734. Set against $14,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,922 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $69,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,922 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $22,175 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,618. That is a strong return on a $22,175 median debt.
North Shore Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,663. Registered Nursing graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,663 median debt.
Capital Community College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,876. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,880 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $73,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,880 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $74,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,866 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $72,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,866 median debt.
Central Maine Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,724. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,734. Set against $23,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,053 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $65,350 early in their careers. Set against $18,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenfield Community College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $75,914. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York County Community College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $35,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
Rhode Island College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $107,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $75,249. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $80,228 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Maine Community College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northern Maine Community College generally make around $66,455. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $67,850. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Granite State College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,954. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Maine Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $69,158. Set against $32,818 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:
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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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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.
