by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williston State College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in North Dakota. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,944. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bismarck State College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $66,335. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Region State College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,310. Registered Nursing graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $68,214 early in their careers. Set against $27,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,098. Registered Nursing graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $59,229 early in their careers. Set against $30,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Minot State University, which ranked #5. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,111 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $72,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,111 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public school located in the rural area of Bottineau. Students from in state pay about $5,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,334 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayville State University placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $77,525. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt.
Dickinson State University landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $88,835 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rasmussen College North Dakota earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Fargo, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. Students borrow a median of $34,866 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Rasmussen College North Dakota earn a median of $77,596 early in their careers. Set against $34,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,578. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $93,565. Set against $28,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,792 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $153,282 early in their careers. Set against $25,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,990. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,094. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
