2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Alabama. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,412. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $59,653. That is a strong return on a $9,412 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,605. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George C Wallace State Community College Selma earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma generally make around $67,158. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Northeast Alabama Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $52,569. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,850 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $61,443 early in their careers. Set against $10,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $71,034. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Bevill State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $63,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,124 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $56,177. Set against $13,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,588. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $67,491. Set against $18,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Median earnings reach $28,281 ten years out.
Snead State Community College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Boaz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,278, while out-of-state students pay about $9,148. Students borrow a median of $14,569 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Snead State Community College earn a median of $58,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John C Calhoun State Community College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,990. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,041. Registered Nursing graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $56,995 early in their careers. Set against $18,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $11,882 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $64,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson State Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,375. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,811. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James H Faulkner State Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,653. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,900. Set against $17,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Alabama placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $69,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Shelton State Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,127, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $60,540. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Troy University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,153. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $75,680. Set against $27,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $59,770. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
University Of West Alabama ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $66,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $69,625. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Alabama Community College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexander City. Students from in state pay about $5,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,967 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,634. Set against $15,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jacksonville State University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $100,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
[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.
