2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Virginia to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found ECPI University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Virginia. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,812 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $18,484 to cover tuition and fees at ECPI University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $20,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ECPI University does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northern Virginia Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school awarded 5,692 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northern Virginia Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. Associate Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $15,263 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 23 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Rappahannock Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 280 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at RCC is $4,820. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,823.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at RCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Thomas Nelson Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Virginia. Thomas Nelson Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Hampton, Virginia that handed out 809 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend TNCC full time pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,809. On average, associate degree students take out $14,524 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since TNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Germanna Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Locust Grove, Virginia, and it awarded 1,128 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Germanna Community College full time pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,916. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,175 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Germanna Community College, 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, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
John Tyler Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 982 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Virginia who attend John Tyler Community College full time pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,803. Associate Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $12,270 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at John Tyler Community College, 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, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Alberta, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 456 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southside Virginia Community College is $4,695. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,698.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southside Virginia Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Blue Ridge Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school located in Weyers Cave, Virginia that handed out 441 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they attend BRCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,367. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,633 in student loans.
Online courses are available at BRCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at VHCC is $4,725. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since VHCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wytheville Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. WCC is a public institution located in Wytheville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 272 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. Associate Degree recipients from WCC accumulate an average of $11,399 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WCC 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Middletown, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 790 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Lord Fairfax Community College full time pay an average of $4,739 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,742. On average, associate degree students take out $12,394 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Lord Fairfax Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. PVCC is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 485 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,790 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PVCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,793. Associate Degree recipients from PVCC accumulate an average of $12,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PVCC. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This very small public school is located in Clifton Forge, Virginia, and it awarded 150 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend DSLCC full time pay an average of $4,740 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,743.
DSLCC 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. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Reynolds Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Reynolds Community College is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Reynolds Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,001. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,943 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Reynolds Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 313 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $17,211. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,863 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
Virginia Western Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 654 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Virginia Western Community College full time pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,106. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,129 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Virginia Western Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mountain Empire Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend MECC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728.
Online courses are available at MECC, 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, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, Paul D Camp Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school situated in Franklin, Virginia. It awarded 144 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Paul D Camp Community College full time pay an average of $4,730 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,733. On average, associate degree students take out $7,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Paul D Camp 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 2020-2021 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tidewater Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 2,216 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tidewater Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,564. Associate Degree recipients from Tidewater Community College accumulate an average of $13,855 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Tidewater Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwest Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Southwest Virginia is located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 322 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,733 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Virginia full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,736.
Southwest Virginia does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Danville Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Danville Community College is a small public school situated in Danville, Virginia. It awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Danville Community College is $4,725. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. On average, associate degree students take out $11,262 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Danville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Patrick Henry Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Martinsville, Virginia, and it awarded 364 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,720 in tuition and fees if they attend Patrick Henry full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,723.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Patrick Henry. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
New River Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Dublin, Virginia, the small public school handed out 494 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,697 in tuition and fees if they attend NRCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,699. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,123 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NRCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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.