2023 Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 297 schools in the United States to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Neosho County Community College the best value school in the United States for nursing students working on their basic certificate. Located in Chanute, Kansas, the small public school awarded 176 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Neosho County Community College are $4,000 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Neosho County Community College. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Clovis Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the United States. Located in Clovis, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $2,984 a year.
Clovis Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hutchinson Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 251 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,470 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Hutchinson Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hutchinson Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 297 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,826 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Western Iowa Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Western Iowa Tech Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Out of the 297 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Madison College is a fairly large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 499 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year.
Madison College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Madison College also took the #1 spot in our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools rankings.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Coastal Pines Technical College is a small public school located in Waycross, Georgia that handed out 177 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Coastal Pines Technical College are $4,906 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Coastal Pines Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Coastal Pines Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
Centralia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Centralia, Washington, the small public school awarded 45 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, Centralia College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
Garden City Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Garden City Community College is a public institution located in Garden City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Garden City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,020 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Garden City Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 482 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Moraine Park Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 12% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Moraine Park Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
Century College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 basic certificates to qualified students.
Century College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,907 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Century College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Century College also is in the top 5% of our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. This small public school is located in Morrilton, Arkansas, and it awarded 133 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
UACCM undergraduate students pay an average of $4,128 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UACCM does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Alvin Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. This small public school is located in Alvin, Texas, and it awarded 69 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Alvin undergraduate students pay an average of $4,010 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Alvin. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in Batesville, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
UACCB undergraduate students pay an average of $3,438 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UACCB. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Johnson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 317 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at JCCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
JCCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
With a ranking of #15, Oconee Fall Line Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their basic certificate. Located in Sandersville, Georgia, the small public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OFTC are $5,472 a year.
OFTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
OFTC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Arkansas State University - Newport came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 71 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
ASUN undergraduate students pay an average of $4,320 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ASUN does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Fox Valley Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 461 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FVTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.
FVTC also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools rankings.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. CVTC is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 353 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 a year.
One thing to take note of is that CVTC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, CVTC also did well on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Blackhawk Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. This small public school is located in Janesville, Wisconsin, and it awarded 247 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
BTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at BTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, BTC also did well on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Central Georgia Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the medium-sized public school handed out 218 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CGTC are $5,442 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CGTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, CGTC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
With a ranking of #21, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their basic certificate. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in Valdosta, Georgia that handed out 308 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,552 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Wiregrass Georgia Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College also is in the top 20% of our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Dodge City Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. Dodge City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 146 students in 2020-2021.
Dodge City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,830 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Dodge City Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list. This small public school is located in Watertown, South Dakota, and it awarded 18 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
LATI undergraduate students pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LATI. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, LATI is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools list.
Anoka Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 129 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Anoka Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Anoka Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Anoka Technical College also is in the top 10% of our Best Nursing Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate nursing programs. North Central Technical College is a public institution located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 347 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
North Central Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,415 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that North Central Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Rest of the Best Value Nursing Basic Certificate Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by Region
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN |
| 47 | University of Arkansas Rich Mountain | Mena, AR |
| 48 | Savannah Technical College | Savannah, GA |
| 49 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI |
| 50 | Butte College | Oroville, CA |
| 51 | Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 52 | Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS |
| 53 | North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS |
| 54 | Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA |
| 55 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| 56 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
| 57 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI |
| 58 | Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin, GA |
| 59 | Lanier Technical College | Oakwood, GA |
| 60 | Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Wichita, KS |
More Nationwide Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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