2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kentucky
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Hazard Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Kentucky. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,822. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Somerset Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,842 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,747. That is a strong return on a $15,842 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Berea College, which ranked #5. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $67,510. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Hopkinsville Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $19,409 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $65,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $58,951. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $65,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashland Community And Technical College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,756. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $64,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,624 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $40,462. That is a strong return on a $13,624 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,137. Registered Nursing graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,002 early in their careers. Set against $13,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,376. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Community And Technical College earn a median of $67,888 early in their careers. Set against $23,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henderson Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $58,754. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $64,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,999. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $55,532. That is a strong return on a $16,999 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,271. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $63,784. That is a strong return on a $23,271 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $102,793 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Murray State University landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,082 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $127,240. Set against $25,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. Set against $25,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Set against $23,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,400. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $89,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Morehead State University placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $70,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pikeville College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Students borrow a median of $25,379 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $79,724. Set against $25,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
