by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Coahoma Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,513. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Mississippi Delta Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,909. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $74,925. That is a strong return on a $15,909 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hinds Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,063. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,901. Set against $20,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
East Mississippi Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $60,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,000. Registered Nursing graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $59,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Holmes Community College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,054. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Community College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Meridian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,078, compared with $6,478 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,545 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Meridian Community College generally make around $65,755. Set against $15,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jones County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,107. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Pearl River Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pearl River Community College earn a median of $67,190 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $66,438. That is a strong return on a $18,413 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,362 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $70,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Students borrow a median of $19,260 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,373. That is a strong return on a $19,260 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Northeast Mississippi Community College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $7,750. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alcorn State University came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $24,683 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $85,255. That is a strong return on a $24,683 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $91,554. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Delta State University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,590 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $68,221 early in their careers. Set against $23,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
William Carey University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $73,469. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Belhaven University placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Students borrow a median of $27,706 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $69,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $119,800. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Blue Mountain College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,180. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,542. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Blue Mountain College generally make around $36,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Blue Mountain College admits about 89% of applicants.
Mississippi College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $69,572. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.