2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is Cleveland Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in North Carolina. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $73,173. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $66,430. Set against $21,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $13,167 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $74,366. That is a strong return on a $13,167 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,962. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,278. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,112. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Piedmont Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,596. Registered Nursing graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $69,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Robeson Community College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $77,475. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $73,310 early in their careers. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,349. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,478. Set against $10,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $61,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $72,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $63,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,750. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $72,520. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Wilson Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,477 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,152. That is a strong return on a $20,477 median debt.
Lenoir Community College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $67,505 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Nash Community College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,275 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,013. Set against $23,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,977. Registered Nursing graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $66,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,722 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $70,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $76,008.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,617 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $61,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $70,579 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 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:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
