by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Ridgewater College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Minnesota. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $59,082. Set against $23,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Century College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Century College earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $28,072 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $60,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Students borrow a median of $40,188 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $156,340. That is a strong return on a $40,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $30,522 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,395. Set against $30,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Technical College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,254. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,053. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Technical College earn a median of $72,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $61,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,226 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $74,877. Set against $31,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,391. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $66,870. That is a strong return on a $25,391 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,779. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $67,312. Set against $27,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,803 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $66,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,803 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $70,020 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,052. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,282 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pine Technical College generally make around $64,961. That is a strong return on a $31,282 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Students borrow a median of $28,354 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $68,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,354 median debt.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Students borrow a median of $36,865 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $57,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,865 median debt.
Bemidji State University placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $27,990 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $77,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $67,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,395. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $33,560. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $71,933 early in their careers. Set against $33,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $64,846. Set against $27,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.