2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in the Great Lakes Region. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $70,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,950. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $63,651. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt.

3

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,345 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,137. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $26,613 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $71,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,412. Registered Nursing graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $70,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $67,152. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $74,889 early in their careers. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $19,955 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $67,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $69,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

10

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,437. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.

11

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,617. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,751. Registered Nursing graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $66,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,751 median debt.

13

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $12,005 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,115. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

15

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,717 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $62,630. Set against $17,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Montcalm Community College
Sidney, MI

Montcalm Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,104. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,757. Registered Nursing graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $68,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

Lansing Community College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $69,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,010 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $68,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,209. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $63,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $70,929. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

21

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $69,403. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,789. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $65,793. That is a strong return on a $19,789 median debt.

23

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $23,996 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $64,242. That is a strong return on a $23,996 median debt.

24

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

North Central State College came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,833 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $63,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $20,416 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $66,279. That is a strong return on a $20,416 median debt.