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Registered Nursing Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

St Petersburg College charges students negative $52 annually after aid, creating an unusual scenario where nursing students actually receive money to attend. This reflects the broader healthcare workforce crisis driving unprecedented financial incentives for nursing education nationwide. The earnings gap among these programs spans from $20,140 to $95,348, with CUNY schools leading at nearly $95,000 annually while some regional programs struggle with lower returns. Community colleges dominate this affordable nursing market, with Florida institutions particularly well-positioned to serve the state's aging population of 4.2 million seniors. Texas border schools like Texas A&M International University in Laredo connect students to both domestic healthcare systems and growing medical tourism markets. Graduation rates vary dramatically from 27.6% at South Texas College to 63.5% at North Florida College, suggesting that program structure matters as much as cost. The nursing shortage has reached 1.1 million open positions nationally, making these accessible programs important pipeline schools for hospitals, long-term care facilities, and research institutions across underserved regions.
50
Programs
$-52 – $5,825
Net Price Range
$60,182
Avg. Program Earnings
44.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $200 $2,340 30.1% 98.5%
3 $832 $3,120 61.3%
4 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
5 $1,291 $4,920 27.6%
6 $1,799 $3,054 63.5%
7 $2,254 $2,348 42.0%
8 $2,339 $2,370 44.8%
9 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
10 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
11 $2,879 $6,560 54.9%
12 $2,915 $3,100 56.6%
13 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
14 $3,119 $3,227 42.0%
15 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
16 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
17 $3,613 $4,420 30.6%
18 $3,645 $7,630 62.0%
19 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
20 $4,039 $7,630 74.3%
21 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
22 $4,142 $7,630 70.8%
23 $4,181 $7,314 53.9%
24 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
25 $4,443 $3,165 51.1%
26 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
27 $4,496 $7,050 37.3% 90.1%
28 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
29 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
30 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
31 $4,704 $6,970 52.2%
32 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
33 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
34 $4,984 $2,910 20.1%
35 $4,989 $7,050 23.6% 39.6%
36 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
37 $5,144 $2,570 20.7%
38 $5,154 $3,155 42.9%
39 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
40 $5,216 $6,400 32.6%
41 $5,309 $3,300 30.5%
42 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
43 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
44 $5,554 $3,246 42.9%
45 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
46 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
47 $5,732 $8,054 56.2%
48 $5,742 $3,292 44.7%
49 $5,808 $2,830 45.7%
50 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

How can St Petersburg College offer negative net costs for nursing programs?

St Petersburg College provides so much financial aid that students receive $52 more than tuition costs after grants and scholarships. This occurs when federal and state nursing grants exceed the $2,682 in-state tuition. The college participates in multiple nursing workforce development initiatives that provide additional funding. Graduates earn $65,512 annually, making this an strong return on investment.

What explains the $75,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

CUNY Lehman College graduates earn $95,348 while Colegio Universitario de San Juan graduates earn $20,140, reflecting regional healthcare market differences. New York hospitals pay premium wages due to high living costs and union representation. Puerto Rico's healthcare system operates under different reimbursement structures with lower wage scales. Geographic location accounts for most of this variation in nursing salaries.

Is the 27.6% graduation rate at South Texas College typical for affordable nursing programs?

South Texas College's graduation rate falls well below the 52% average for these programs, though several factors contribute to this pattern. Many students attend part-time while working full-time jobs to support families. The college serves a predominantly Hispanic population where first-generation college attendance creates additional challenges. North Florida College achieves 63.5% graduation rates with similar demographics, suggesting program design makes a significant difference.

Does attending CUNY schools provide better nursing career outcomes despite higher costs?

CUNY Hunter College and Lehman College charge around $3,000 annually but deliver graduates earning over $94,000. Both schools have acceptance rates under 56%, making admission more competitive than community colleges with 95%+ acceptance rates. The urban hospital networks in New York provide extensive clinical training opportunities. Student debt levels remain reasonable at approximately $13,000 for CUNY nursing graduates.

Where do Florida community colleges rank nationally for nursing program value?

Six Florida community colleges appear among the most affordable nursing programs nationally, with costs ranging from negative $52 to $3,119 annually. Gulf Coast State College graduates earn $50,270 while paying just $2,339 net costs. Florida's large senior population creates strong demand for nursing graduates across all specialties. The state's community college system benefits from targeted healthcare workforce funding that keeps costs low.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.