2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Michigan
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Henry Ford Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,613. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $25,412 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $70,145. That is a strong return on a $25,412 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $66,602. That is a strong return on a $20,751 median debt.
Delta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
A rank of #5 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,310. Registered Nursing graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $69,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montcalm Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $25,757 median debt.
Oakland Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,010 median debt.
Alpena Community College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College placed #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,676. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $74,889. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $65,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. 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. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Shore Community College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,846. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt.
Monroe County Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,850 median debt.
Gogebic Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,485. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,334 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $64,122. That is a strong return on a $24,228 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Students borrow a median of $24,487 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $67,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,487 median debt.
North Central Michigan College came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. Students from in state pay about $5,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,483. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Central Michigan College generally make around $65,070. That is a strong return on a $14,483 median debt.
Jackson Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,387. Registered Nursing graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $75,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,387 median debt.
St Clair County Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,009. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $69,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,254 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glen Oaks Community College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Glen Oaks Community College generally make around $64,466. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $19,991 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $69,764. That is a strong return on a $19,991 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $77,657. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
