2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New York
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 110 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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 $121,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $125,790 early in their careers. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,675 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $17,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $78,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $103,611. That is a strong return on a $10,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $15,990 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $86,295 early in their careers. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $8,475 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $83,306. Set against $8,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,258. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $132,090. Set against $17,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $10,632 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $75,260. Set against $10,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,235. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,433 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $97,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,433 median debt.
Ulster County Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,109 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $77,265 early in their careers. Set against $28,109 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $115,779. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Erie Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,152. Registered Nursing graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $69,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,159. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,188. That is a strong return on a $21,159 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,260. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,436. Registered Nursing graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $69,638 early in their careers. Set against $27,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,003 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $81,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,003 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,400. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,646 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $103,508. Set against $21,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Monroe Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,316. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt.
Onondaga Community College earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Students borrow a median of $24,359 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $70,178. Set against $24,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,868 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $80,603 early in their careers. Set against $21,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,764. Registered Nursing graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 96 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.
