2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the New England Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 102 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,988. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,351. Set against $15,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $66,988. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,855. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bunker Hill Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,971 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $72,734 early in their careers. Set against $14,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $74,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $19,663 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,803. Set against $19,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,880. 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 #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $76,364 early in their careers. Set against $17,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,866 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,980. That is a strong return on a $16,866 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,135 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $75,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,135 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,175. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $74,618. Set against $22,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $25,922 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $69,117. Set against $25,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $65,350. That is a strong return on a $18,053 median debt.
Greenfield Community College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,625. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,914. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,724. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $66,734 early in their careers. Set against $23,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berkshire Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,753. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,083. That is a strong return on a $22,753 median debt.
Rhode Island College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $107,588. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
York County Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,757. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
Fitchburg State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $67,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,849. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Maine Community College earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,818 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $69,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $87,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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), 2026 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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.
