2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Registered Nursing](/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 81 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Colorado Mountain College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,039. That is a strong return on a $14,946 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $13,299 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $63,865. Set against $13,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $72,685. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,207. Registered Nursing graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $66,125 early in their careers. Set against $12,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Eastern Wyoming College, which ranked #5. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,085 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,223. That is a strong return on a $15,085 median debt.
Morgan Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,238 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $76,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,840. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $65,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,338 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $68,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $66,900. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Western Governors University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $93,055. That is a strong return on a $22,660 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,790. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $74,246.
Eastern Idaho Technical College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Idaho Technical College generally make around $57,062. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Casper College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,582 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Casper College earn a median of $68,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miles Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Miles Community College is a small public school located in the town of Miles City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,500, while out-of-state students pay about $11,220. Students borrow a median of $29,199 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,708. That is a strong return on a $29,199 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $17,992 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,794. Set against $17,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flathead Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,912, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,187 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,348. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,610. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,741. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $72,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $45,909. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salish Kootenai College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,311 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,583. Registered Nursing graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,131. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $72,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $71,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
Narrow Registered Nursing Schools by State
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
