Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Registered Nursing

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $30-$48k)

225 Ranked Colleges
18,126 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 259,493 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 18,126 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 225 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality registered nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 225 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #1 spot on the list. Yale is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 116 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale also took the #5 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Yale University

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 277 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Columbia

#3

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 225 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #3 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 264 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins University Registered Nursing Report

Out of the 225 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Cal State LA

Top 15% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

FIU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Florida International University

#6

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#6 in overall quality

Georgetown University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Georgetown University is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 291 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Georgetown

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 21 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Registered Nursing Report

#8

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#17 in overall quality

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern Registered Nursing Report

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. CSUDH is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 61 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at California State University - Dominguez Hills

#10

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 49 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894.

Full The University of West Florida Registered Nursing Report

California State University - Fullerton came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 68 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - Fresno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at California State University - Fresno

#21 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#14

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 15% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Purdue

Top 20% in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 251 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at USF Tampa

Top 25% in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 116 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at CSULB

#17

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 133 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

University of Virginia also took the #10 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Virginia - Main Campus

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 19 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Registered Nursing Report

#19

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 92 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCF Registered Nursing Report

#20

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FGCU are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University

With a ranking of #21, Indiana University - Northwest did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Northwest is a small public school situated in Gary, Indiana. It awarded 12 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at IU Northwest

Top 15% in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 251 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Ohio State also did well on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#23

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 108 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Northern Kentucky University

#24

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 15% in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Twin Cities is also in the top of our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Registered Nursing Report

#25

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at CSUSB

Rest of the Best 34 in Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#28

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#29

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio
#30

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana
#31

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#34

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You