2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kansas
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kansas
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 Salina Area Technical College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Kansas. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,124. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,150. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,833. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Coffeyville Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $62,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Dodge City Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,889 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,330. Set against $21,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $55,847. Set against $23,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,680. Registered Nursing graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $62,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,100. Registered Nursing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $61,593 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $63,183. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $17,877 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $61,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $9,844. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $59,298. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Donnelly College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,810. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,626. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Donnelly College generally make around $49,147. Set against $27,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Highland placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,726. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $82,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Kansas Technical College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350. Median earnings reach $46,928 ten years out.
Cloud County Community College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,268. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,406. That is a strong return on a $22,268 median debt.
Wichita State University placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $78,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $98,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.
Johnson County Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,914. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $64,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler Community College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,109. That is a strong return on a $22,791 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $105,103. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Emporia State University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,440. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,996, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,181. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 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. 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
