2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kansas
[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 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Hutchinson Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Kansas. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,889 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $60,330. Set against $21,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $55,847. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Students borrow a median of $17,677 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $62,328. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,175. Registered Nursing graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Dodge City Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Labette Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $66,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,877. Registered Nursing graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $61,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $62,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,100. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $61,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $35,358. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,250. Registered Nursing graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $98,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.
Cloud County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,268 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cloud County Community College earn a median of $61,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $82,486. Set against $24,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Manhattan Area Technical College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $9,844. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,298. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $63,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,022. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Johnson County Community College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,914. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $64,303. Set against $15,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Donnelly College earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,810. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,626 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Donnelly College earn a median of $49,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,626 median debt.
University Of Kansas earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $105,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,440. Registered Nursing graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $60,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $63,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,750. Registered Nursing graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $63,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Kansas Technical College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350. Median earnings reach $46,928 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 35 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 list is compiled 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
