by our College Data Analytics Team
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Century College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Minnesota. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,512. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $69,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $67,312. That is a strong return on a $27,779 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $24,226 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $61,116 early in their careers. Set against $24,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $59,082. Set against $23,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Inver Hills Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $25,391 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $66,870 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,072. Registered Nursing graduates of South Central College earn a median of $60,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,072 median debt.
Pine Technical College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,282. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $58,823. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $30,522 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,395. That is a strong return on a $30,522 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,187 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $66,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $74,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $68,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,865 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $57,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,865 median debt.
Normandale Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $65,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Technical College earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,254. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,053. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Technical College earn a median of $72,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,053 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $67,075. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,817. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,803. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,448. That is a strong return on a $20,803 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,395. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Herzing University Minneapolis ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Herzing University Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of St. Louis Park. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $43,985 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Herzing University Minneapolis earn a median of $75,774 early in their careers. Set against $43,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Herzing University Minneapolis admits about 94% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $33,560 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $71,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Bemidji State University came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $77,639. That is a strong return on a $27,990 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
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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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.