by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing Schools](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing schools students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing schools degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in registered nursing schools, no school beat Colegio Universitario De San Juan this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,340. Median earnings reach $26,510 ten years out. Colegio Universitario De San Juan admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing schools will find it at National University College Bayamon, which ranked #2. National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $14,418 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $26,044. Set against $14,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bayamon Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing schools, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bayamón, Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,986. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $12,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Bayamon Central University generally make around $12,591. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #4 makes Atenas College one of the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Manati, Atenas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,954. Students borrow a median of $6,652 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Atenas College generally make around $21,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Universidad Metropolitana one of the best values for registered nursing schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $25,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of Barranquitas, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $5,850. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $16,039. That is a strong return on a $5,850 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas admits about 86% of applicants.
Universidad Del Este placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $13,750. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $12,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Universidad Del Turabo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $54,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $12,797. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $38,526. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Dewey University Carolina came in at #11 for value in registered nursing schools this year. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $5,825. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Dewey University Carolina generally make around $17,575. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Dewey University Manati landed the #12 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Dewey University Manati is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. Students from in state pay about $7,630 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,825 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $17,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $14,877. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
John Dewey College University Division landed the #14 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Set in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,180. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $5,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from John Dewey College University Division generally make around $26,223. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas came in at #15 for value in registered nursing schools this year. Set in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,350. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $19,065. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earn a median of $52,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas landed the #16 spot for registered nursing schools value this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $4,375. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas generally make around $28,730. That is a strong return on a $4,375 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the registered nursing schools program here. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $14,754. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Guayama, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,608. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,293. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama admits about 79% of applicants.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan came in at #19 for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,707. Median earnings reach $26,293 ten years out. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan admits about 63% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama earn a median of $26,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Aguadilla, Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico is a small private not-for-profit institution. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $17,500.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro came in at #22 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $16,040. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $21,975. Set against $16,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Set in the suburb of San German, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, registered nursing schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German generally make around $9,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Huertas Junior College earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing schools this year. Located in the city of Caguas, Huertas Junior College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,750. Registered Nursing Schools graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing Schools graduates of Huertas Junior College earn a median of $16,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools schools. Set in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing schools graduates is $19,000. Early-career registered nursing schools graduates make about $12,033. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing schools this year:
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
