2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,681. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $74,004. That is a strong return on a $22,681 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,233. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $79,623. That is a strong return on a $21,233 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,278 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Pensacola State College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,346 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,140. Set against $11,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $73,711 early in their careers. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,934. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
South Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
North Florida Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. Students from in state pay about $2,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,263. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,063. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $64,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,220 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $77,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,280. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,387 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $69,339. Set against $10,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,837. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $68,808. Set against $9,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasco Hernando Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. Students from in state pay about $3,155 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,032. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,042. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $78,107. Set against $19,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Students borrow a median of $12,944 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $59,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,070. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $96,397. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Daytona State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $72,086. Set against $15,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Sumter Community College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Leesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $70,241. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,740 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. Set against $21,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Eastern Florida State College placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $24,214 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,938 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,081. Set against $18,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. Set against $22,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns River State College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,591 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,421. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $72,052. Set against $18,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
Notes and References
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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
