2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,946 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $68,039 early in their careers. Set against $14,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

A rank of #2 makes Snow College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,299. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $63,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Laramie County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,207. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $66,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY

Eastern Wyoming College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.

6

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,085 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,223. Set against $15,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

Morgan Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,238. Nursing graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $76,759 early in their careers. Set against $17,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

College Of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID

College Of Southern Idaho came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $18,840 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Western Wyoming Community College
Rock Springs, WY

Western Wyoming Community College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $68,751. Set against $16,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $93,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

College Of Western Idaho ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,790. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,246.

13

Eastern Idaho Technical College
Idaho Falls, ID

Eastern Idaho Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $6,750. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,926. Early-career nursing graduates make about $57,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Community College Of Aurora
Aurora, CO

Community College Of Aurora came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,582 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,615. Set against $13,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Miles Community College
Miles City, MT

Miles Community College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Students borrow a median of $29,199 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Miles Community College earn a median of $67,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,199 median debt.

17

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.

18

Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,992 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,794. Set against $17,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Flathead Valley Community College
Kalispell, MT

Flathead Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,187 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,348. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $71,610 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,741. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $72,187. That is a strong return on a $15,741 median debt.

22

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Aims Community College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, MT

Salish Kootenai College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.

24

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $72,869. That is a strong return on a $21,131 median debt.

25

Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO

Pueblo Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $71,237 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.