2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in Virginia to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 24 schools in Virginia to see which bachelor's 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University of Virginia - Main Campus to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Virginia. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the large public school handed out 5,483 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at University of Virginia is $21,425. Out-of-state students pay an average of $57,374. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,901 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at University of Virginia. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Mary Washington is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,047 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $14,294 in tuition and fees if they attend UMW full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,214. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,005 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMW. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means James Madison University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 4,688 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend JMU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $30,152. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from JMU accumulate an average of $19,303 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
JMU 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 34% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Virginia Commonwealth University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. VCU is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 5,197 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $15,642 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend VCU. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $37,588. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from VCU accumulate an average of $21,634 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that VCU does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Old Dominion University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. This large public school is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and it awarded 3,756 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $11,220 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Old Dominion. Out-of-state students pay an average of $31,170. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Old Dominion accumulate an average of $23,437 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Old Dominion does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Shenandoah University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. Winchester, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 564 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Shenandoah is $35,170. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,225 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Shenandoah, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Eastern Mennonite University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 288 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $40,990 to cover tuition and fees at Eastern Mennonite. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Eastern Mennonite does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 18% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
ECPI University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 1,287 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend ECPI University, expect to pay an average of $18,484 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,394 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECPI University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Lynchburg landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Lynchburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 429 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lynchburg does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 40% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Radford University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Radford, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,626 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Radford is $11,916. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $24,453. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,583 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Radford does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
George Mason University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. This large public school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 6,285 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $13,401 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend GMU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $37,566. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,995 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at GMU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Bluefield College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Bluefield, Virginia, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 174 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,420 to cover tuition and fees at Bluefield College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Bluefield College accumulate an average of $19,104 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bluefield College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Mary Baldwin University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Staunton, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 319 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Mary Baldwin, expect to pay an average of $32,036 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,689 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Mary Baldwin, 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 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Marymount University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it awarded 500 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Marymount does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $36,800. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Marymount accumulate an average of $24,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Marymount. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Longwood University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Farmville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 881 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Longwood is $14,600. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $26,780. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,328 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Longwood does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 21% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Liberty University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 10,025 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Liberty University is $16,203. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $26,038 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Liberty University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Averett University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Danville, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 255 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $37,790 to cover tuition and fees at AU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at AU. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
South University, Virginia Beach came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the very small private for-profit school awarded 59 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South University, Virginia Beach is $16,560. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,641 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South University, Virginia Beach does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Wise, Virginia, the small public school handed out 233 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend UVa - Wise full time pay an average of $11,498 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $31,592. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UVa - Wise accumulate an average of $15,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at UVa - Wise, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Hampton University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 674 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Hampton does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $29,162. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Hampton accumulate an average of $23,718 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hampton. During the 2020-2021 year, about 7% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Regent University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Regent is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 682 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Regent, expect to pay an average of $19,680 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Regent does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 40 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is $17,211. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,502 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
American National University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. American National University is a small private for-profit school located in Salem, Virginia that handed out 22 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $40,427 in loans while pursuing their degree.
American National University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 24 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.