2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 92 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Cleveland Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $7,131. Registered Nursing graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $73,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $73,310. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $72,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Sampson Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $69,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $21,448 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $62,962. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,266. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $70,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $65,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $70,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,167 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,366. Set against $13,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,008.
Halifax Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Halifax Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Weldon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,608, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Registered Nursing graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
Rockingham Community College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,549. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $61,774. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,600, compared with $8,744 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,328. That is a strong return on a $10,188 median debt.
Surry Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,574 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $58,923.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,062. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,833. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,520. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,349 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,275 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $64,013 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,275 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $14,617 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $61,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,750. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Tri County Community College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Murphy, Tri County Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,652 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates of Tri County Community College earn a median of $69,455 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 50 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. 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 · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.
