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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Manchester Community College Nh earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in New Hampshire. Set in the city of Manchester, Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Median earnings reach $49,063 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Granite State College one of the best values for registered nursing. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $55,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Nashua Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,140, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Students borrow a median of $10,608 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $24,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at White Mountains Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Berlin, White Mountains Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $15,300. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of White Mountains Community College earn a median of $67,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Keene State College one of the best values for registered nursing. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $74,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Great Bay Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Plymouth State University earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $72,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lakes Region Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Laconia, Lakes Region Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,970 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,182.
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Concord. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $25,006 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Nhti Concords Community College generally make around $74,512. Set against $25,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $111,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
River Valley Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Claremont, River Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,940, compared with $15,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,824 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of River Valley Community College earn a median of $75,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,824 median debt.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing this year. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,125. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,856. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Franklin Pierce University placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,442 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,870 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,016. That is a strong return on a $28,870 median debt. Franklin Pierce University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rivier College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,488. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $32,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $83,130. Set against $32,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $85,600. That is a strong return on a $31,470 median debt. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
Saint Anselm College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,920. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Anselm College earn a median of $79,609 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.