2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing schools degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing schools, no school beat National University College Bayamon this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,723, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $14,418. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $26,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,418 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Bayamon Central University one of the best values for registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayamón, Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,986. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $12,125. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $12,591. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing schools will find it at University Of The Virgin Islands, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Charlotte Amalie, University Of The Virgin Islands is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,957, while out-of-state students pay about $16,557. Students borrow a median of $17,974 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of University Of The Virgin Islands earn a median of $78,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #4 makes Universidad Metropolitana one of the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $25,256 early in their careers. Set against $16,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing schools, landing the #5 spot this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $5,850. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $16,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Este came in at #6 for value in registered nursing schools this year. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $12,503. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $54,844. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dewey University Carolina placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Carolina, Dewey University Carolina is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,630. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Dewey University Carolina generally make around $17,575. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dewey University Manati came in at #9 for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the suburb of Manati, Dewey University Manati is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Dewey University Manati generally make around $17,575. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $10,000. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $38,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
John Dewey College University Division placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,180. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $26,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $14,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Caguas. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $4,375 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $28,730. Set against $4,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas landed the #14 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Set in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,350. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $19,065. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $52,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $8,250. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $14,754 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama landed the #16 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guayama. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $12,718. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama generally make around $26,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama admits about 36% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro came in at #17 for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,040 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $21,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of San German, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $9,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Huertas Junior College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Huertas Junior College is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,750 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $16,715. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $12,033. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Sacred Heart came in at #21 for value in registered nursing schools this year. University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santurce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $31,799. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Humacao ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Humacao. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Humacao generally make around $14,764. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Registered Nursing Schools](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
