2026 Best Value Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing Schools

1

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

For return on investment in perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $17,187 in student loans. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $35,348. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

A rank of #3 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing program here. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $69,434. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #4 place for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $72,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earned it the #5 place for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $5,850 in student loans. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earn a median of $12,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

6

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates is $26,789. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $46,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla placed #7 among the best values for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates is $8,500. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earn a median of $12,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama
Guayama, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama earned the #8 position for value in perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guayama. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing program here. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $26,771. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

9

Gateway Community College Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #9 among the best values for perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,225 to complete the perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $74,062. That is a strong return on a $21,225 median debt.

10

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
Ponce, PR

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing schools. Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ponce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing degree recipients from Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $12,033. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $98,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete the perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $137,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

13

Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Perioperative/operating Room And Surgical Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Early-career perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing graduates make about $132,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.