2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $103,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $110,626. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $101,531. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $98,811. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #5. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,134. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,194. Set against $22,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,375. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $103,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,855 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,442. That is a strong return on a $18,855 median debt.

9

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,261 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $80,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $119,356. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $93,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,800. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $103,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,800 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.

13

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,036. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

14

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,617 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,185. That is a strong return on a $10,617 median debt.

16

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $113,718. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

17

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $73,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,934 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

18

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,934. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

19

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $81,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $96,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,125. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $110,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

23

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,312. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $78,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.