[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 537 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Southern Regional Technical College this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,531. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,971. Set against $10,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $69,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,681. 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 Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $86,454. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $73,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,937. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $72,523. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $71,280. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $64,429. Set against $17,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sampson Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,596. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $19,833 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $83,943. That is a strong return on a $19,833 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $66,960 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,448 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $66,430 early in their careers. Set against $21,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,167 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $74,366 early in their careers. Set against $13,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,349 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $63,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,349 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $65,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,894. Registered Nursing graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $70,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,894 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,278. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $69,731. Set against $18,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,949. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,475. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,220. Registered Nursing graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $77,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Piedmont Community College placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,833. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,520. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,938. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $67,607. That is a strong return on a $30,938 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
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 · 537 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 537 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
