[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 602 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
Our analysis ranked Seminole State College Of Florida the best value for a degree in registered nursing in the Southeast Region. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,233 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $69,971. Set against $10,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,681 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $74,004 early in their careers. Set against $22,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,278. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $69,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $73,173. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Hinds Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,063 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,901. That is a strong return on a $20,063 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $72,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,310. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $69,040. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Pensacola State College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,346 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $71,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
Dyersburg State Community College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,386. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $21,448 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $66,430. That is a strong return on a $21,448 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,644 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,239. Set against $13,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,833 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $83,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $30,938 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $67,607 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Students borrow a median of $17,846 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $76,008.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,064 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $66,960. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,500. Registered Nursing graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $65,691 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $10,387 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,339. Set against $10,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Florida Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $67,263. 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:
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 · 602 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 477 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).
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
