2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Oregon

1

Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, OR

For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Mt Hood Community College this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,031 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,499. Set against $30,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Lane Community College
Eugene, OR

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lane Community College, which ranked #2. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,165 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $89,567 early in their careers. Set against $23,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Treasure Valley Community College
Ontario, OR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Treasure Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $6,795. Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Treasure Valley Community College earn a median of $70,211 early in their careers. Set against $37,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Clackamas Community College
Oregon City, OR

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Clackamas Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $31,280. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.

5

Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Chemeketa Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Students borrow a median of $24,018 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Rogue Community College
Grants Pass, OR

Rogue Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,950. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $90,235. That is a strong return on a $20,950 median debt.

7

Klamath Community College
Klamath Falls, OR

Klamath Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Klamath Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,965, compared with $8,025 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $24,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Southwestern Oregon Community College
Coos Bay, OR

Southwestern Oregon Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Southwestern Oregon Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Coos Bay. Students from in state pay about $7,192 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,435 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Portland Community College
Portland, OR

Portland Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $32,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,033. That is a strong return on a $32,000 median debt.

10

Umpqua Community College
Roseburg, OR

Umpqua Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Roseburg, Umpqua Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,104 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Umpqua Community College earn a median of $88,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Columbia Gorge Community College
The Dalles, OR

Columbia Gorge Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,417. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,167. That is a strong return on a $22,417 median debt.

12

Central Oregon Community College
Bend, OR

Central Oregon Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Bend, Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College generally make around $82,582. That is a strong return on a $22,833 median debt.

13

Linn Benton Community College
Albany, OR

Linn Benton Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,854. Nursing graduates of Linn Benton Community College earn a median of $84,912 early in their careers. Set against $20,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Blue Mountain Community College
Pendleton, OR

Blue Mountain Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,076, compared with $9,754 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,221. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blue Mountain Community College generally make around $25,872. That is a strong return on a $25,221 median debt.

15

Clatsop Community College
Astoria, OR

Clatsop Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Astoria, Clatsop Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $9,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Nursing graduates of Clatsop Community College earn a median of $23,808 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Warner Pacific College
Portland, OR

Warner Pacific College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Portland, Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,220. Nursing graduates carry a median of $41,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Warner Pacific College generally make around $51,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

17

Northwest Christian University
Eugene, OR

Northwest Christian University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,704. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $102,985. That is a strong return on a $28,704 median debt. Northwest Christian University admits about 67% of applicants.

18

Linfield College
McMinnville, OR

Linfield College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McMinnville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,736. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Linfield College generally make around $95,604. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Linfield College admits about 85% of applicants.

19

Sumner College
Portland, OR

Sumner College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Sumner College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students borrow a median of $35,404 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sumner College earn a median of $85,561 early in their careers. Set against $35,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

20

George Fox University
Newberg, OR

George Fox University landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $89,201 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Portland
Portland, OR

University Of Portland landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Portland earn a median of $94,291 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Portland admits about 89% of applicants.