2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,944. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $121,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $119,692 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

A rank of #5 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,152. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $98,926 early in their careers. Set against $16,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,055. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $125,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. Set against $12,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,964. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $122,354. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

10

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,718 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,486. Set against $13,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,457. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.

13

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,332 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,375. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $156,309. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

17

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,514. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

19

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,233 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $79,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,233 median debt.

20

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,761. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

22

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $16,739 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $98,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

24

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

25

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $69,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.