2027 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. 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 73 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 Rocky Mountains 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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for registered nursing in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Snow College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,299 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Snow College earn a median of $63,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. 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.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,946 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,840. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,503. Set against $18,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,131 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $72,869 early in their careers. Set against $21,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,338. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $68,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Salish Kootenai College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $52,607.
College Of Western Idaho placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,790 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $74,246.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $60,794. That is a strong return on a $17,992 median debt.
Flathead Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing 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, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,187 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $71,348. That is a strong return on a $21,187 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College placed #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,085 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Set against $15,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,238. 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.
Eastern Idaho Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $25,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $15,741 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $72,187 early in their careers. Set against $15,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,610. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Casper College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Students borrow a median of $13,582 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $68,615. That is a strong return on a $13,582 median debt.
Southern Utah University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,993. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,898. Set against $11,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Idaho College placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,297. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $81,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $95,058. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar Community College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $25,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,801. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
