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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maryland

26 Colleges in the United States
$22,339 Avg Student Debt
$51,273 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Badge [Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools

1

Leading the list is Frederick Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Maryland. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $70,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.

2

Carroll Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $74,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.

3

Wor Wic Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,742. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $75,725. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,172 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,172 median debt.

6

Coppin State University landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $36,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $84,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

7
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

Chesapeake College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $72,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Baltimore City Community College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,850 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $73,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Hagerstown Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,996. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of Southern Maryland earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $73,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Harford Community College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $74,823. Set against $16,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. In-state tuition and fees average $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.

13

Howard Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $71,307. That is a strong return on a $24,560 median debt.

14

Allegany College Of Maryland placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $66,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of Maryland University College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,084 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $92,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Prince Georges Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $89,437 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Morgan State University came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,309. Registered Nursing graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $75,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

18

Frostburg State University placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,617. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

19

Washington Adventist University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,604. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $47,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Washington Adventist University generally make around $85,352. That is a strong return on a $47,033 median debt. Washington Adventist University admits about 46% of applicants.

20

Anne Arundel Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,947 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.

21
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,297. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $76,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,378. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $80,344. That is a strong return on a $23,378 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23

Johns Hopkins University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $105,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

24

Bowie State University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $70,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

25
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,700. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Hood College earn a median of $78,873 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hood College admits about 78% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:

26
27
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 28 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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