2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in West Virginia
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in West Virginia. Set in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,428. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn a median of $67,830 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 West Virginia Northern Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,706, with out-of-state students paying around $12,698. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,940. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,766. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,897. That is a strong return on a $26,766 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes West Virginia University At Parkersburg one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,163 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,993. That is a strong return on a $19,163 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes New River Community And Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. New River Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Beaver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,156, compared with $9,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,187 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New River Community And Technical College generally make around $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $110,391. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $32,313. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $73,772. That is a strong return on a $32,313 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $28,384 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,136, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Median earnings reach $32,153 ten years out.
Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,722. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College generally make around $28,134. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
West Virginia State University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,570, compared with $14,990 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,452 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $37,970. That is a strong return on a $28,452 median debt. West Virginia State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Shepherd University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,206 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $75,914. Set against $27,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,415. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bluefield State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,376 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bluefield State College generally make around $64,695. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia Junior College Charleston earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. West Virginia Junior College Charleston is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cross Lanes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,798. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $24,785. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Salem International University landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Salem, Salem International University is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,070. Students borrow a median of $37,874 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Salem International University earn a median of $51,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Liberty University earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,893, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $71,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Bridgeport, West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,798 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,729. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport generally make around $24,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $103,788. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 93% of applicants.
West Virginia Junior College Morgantown landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. West Virginia Junior College Morgantown is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,798. Students borrow a median of $24,181 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Junior College Morgantown generally make around $68,238. That is a strong return on a $24,181 median debt.
Wheeling Jesuit University came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Wheeling, Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,875. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Wheeling Jesuit University earn a median of $38,212 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheeling Jesuit University admits about 63% of applicants.
Davis And Elkins College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,820 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Charleston earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $68,678. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Valley College Beckley earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Beckley, Valley College Beckley is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $19,046. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Valley College Martinsburg earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Valley College Martinsburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Martinsburg. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,930. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Valley College Martinsburg generally make around $29,022. Set against $14,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
