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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Nebraska

15 Colleges in the United States
$26,027 Avg Student Debt
$52,549 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Nebraska

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

1

Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Nebraska. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $68,874. Set against $17,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Western Nebraska Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Students borrow a median of $16,249 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,805 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $64,945 early in their careers. Set against $14,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Mid Plains Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,746. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $25,814 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $71,239 early in their careers. Set against $25,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Northeast Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $19,053 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Set against $19,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

College Of Saint Mary placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,668 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $72,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,668 median debt. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.

8

Clarkson College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,289. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Clarkson College generally make around $99,917. Set against $31,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.

9

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,362 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $80,755. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.

10

Union College Nebraska placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Lincoln, Union College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,334. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Union College Nebraska generally make around $75,244. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

11

Nebraska Wesleyan University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,680. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

12
Midland University crest
Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,750. Registered Nursing graduates of Midland University earn a median of $74,515 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

13

Bryan College Of Health Sciences placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lincoln, Bryan College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,640. Students borrow a median of $30,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $133,424. That is a strong return on a $30,125 median debt. Bryan College Of Health Sciences admits about 67% of applicants.

14

Creighton University landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $96,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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