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 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,846. Registered Nursing graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $69,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,846 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Mississippi Delta Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,909. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,925. That is a strong return on a $15,909 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $20,063 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,901. Set against $20,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $70,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Pearl River Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $67,190. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
East Mississippi Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $60,245. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
East Central Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,990, while out-of-state students pay about $6,090. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from East Central Community College generally make around $59,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $67,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Meridian Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Meridian. In-state tuition and fees average $4,078, while out-of-state students pay about $6,478. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Meridian Community College generally make around $65,755. That is a strong return on a $15,545 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #12 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, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,413. Registered Nursing graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $66,438 early in their careers. Set against $18,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $17,362 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,472. That is a strong return on a $17,362 median debt.
Jones County Junior College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $91,554. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Northeast Mississippi Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Booneville. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeast Mississippi Community College generally make around $60,759. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,260 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,590. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,221. That is a strong return on a $23,590 median debt. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Alcorn State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $24,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,469. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $69,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Belhaven University placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Students borrow a median of $27,706 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Belhaven University generally make around $69,794. Set against $27,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.