by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Utah. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,299 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Snow College earn a median of $63,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,299 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $15,085 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $64,223. That is a strong return on a $15,085 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Governors University earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $93,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $66,900. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $11,993 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $60,247. That is a strong return on a $20,083 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $22,106 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $92,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $7,830 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,164. Set against $7,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $69,616. Set against $18,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westminster College Utah placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,528 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,552. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Westminster College Utah admits about 67% of applicants.
Nightingale College earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing this year. Nightingale College is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,875. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis College Salt Lake City earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Fortis College Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,474. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $35,267. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fortis College Salt Lake City generally make around $65,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eagle Gate College Murray landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Murray, Eagle Gate College Murray is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,548. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $52,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eagle Gate College Murray generally make around $66,420. Set against $52,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ameritech College Draper came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Draper, Ameritech College Draper is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,260 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,134. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,905. Set against $31,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Provo College Provo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Provo, Provo College Provo is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,548. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $51,285. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Provo College Provo generally make around $63,317. That is a strong return on a $51,285 median debt.
Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Murray, Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,587. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City generally make around $85,169. Set against $51,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City admits about 100% of applicants.
Eagle Gate College Layton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Layton, Eagle Gate College Layton is a small private for-profit institution. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $52,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eagle Gate College Layton generally make around $66,420. That is a strong return on a $52,292 median debt.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.