by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,137. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $70,086. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,950. Registered Nursing graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $63,651 early in their careers. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,437. Registered Nursing graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $66,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Danville Area Community College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,372. Registered Nursing graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $42,425. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $18,209 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,003. That is a strong return on a $18,209 median debt.
Joliet Junior College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $71,988. Set against $18,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $66,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,175. Registered Nursing graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $62,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,550 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $66,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $68,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,641. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $10,793 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $71,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $70,929. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,005. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $72,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $66,440 early in their careers. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $68,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,434. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,499. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Kishwaukee College placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Illinois College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,615. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $65,290. Set against $14,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.