2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Oklahoma City Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Oklahoma. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,334 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $70,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,334 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,544. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Students borrow a median of $21,565 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $68,070. Set against $21,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Albert State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poteau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $69,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,416 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $78,753 early in their careers. Set against $29,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Oklahoma State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $60,489. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
East Central University earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,200. Registered Nursing graduates of East Central University earn a median of $71,297 early in their careers. Set against $20,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Rose State College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $16,900 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,453. That is a strong return on a $16,900 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $57,846. That is a strong return on a $18,131 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,767, with out-of-state students paying around $8,383. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,213, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,658. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,207. That is a strong return on a $26,658 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,475. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,065. Set against $21,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,210 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $67,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Langston University earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,277. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,967. Set against $27,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,130. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $72,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $80,792. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rogers State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,625. Registered Nursing graduates of Rogers State University earn a median of $69,170 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $24,027 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $75,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,230, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,990. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College generally make around $26,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,400. Registered Nursing graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $74,056 early in their careers. Set against $29,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $69,818 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $71,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Oklahoma Christian University placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,180. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $69,180. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $71,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 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), 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
