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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia

37 Schools Ranked
$42,883 Average Earnings
$23,319 Avg Student Debt

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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 37 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
$58,809 Average Earnings
$18,266 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Virginia - Main Campus to be the best school for nursing students in Virginia.

Degree recipients from University of Virginia accumulate an average of $18,266 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $383.After graduating from University of Virginia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,809 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Report

#2

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
$47,786 Average Earnings
$25,106 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Virginia Commonwealth University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Virginia.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,106 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $227 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from VCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,786 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Virginia Commonwealth University

#3

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
$46,195 Average Earnings
$20,564 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at James Madison University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Virginia.

Degree recipients from JMU accumulate an average of $20,564 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $394 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, JMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,195 during the early year of their career.

Full James Madison University Report

#4

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
$46,278 Average Earnings
$26,724 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Old Dominion University is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $26,724 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Old Dominion graduates make an average of $46,278 annually.

Full Old Dominion University Report

#5

Shenandoah University

Winchester, Virginia
$50,739 Average Earnings
$26,751 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Shenandoah University is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Shenandoah accumulate an average of $26,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $544, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Shenandoah graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,739 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Shenandoah University

#6

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
$51,655 Average Earnings
$24,351 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Mennonite University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,351 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Eastern Mennonite graduates make an average of $51,655 annually.

Read full report on Eastern Mennonite University

#7

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
$43,099 Average Earnings
$25,711 Avg Student Debt

Radford University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,711 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $240 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Radford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,099 during the early year of their career.

Full Radford University Report

#8

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
$41,263 Average Earnings
$28,707 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, ECPI University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,707 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $125 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually.

Read full report on ECPI University

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
$56,435 Average Earnings
$22,883 Avg Student Debt

George Mason University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list.

Degree recipients from GMU accumulate an average of $22,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $355, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, GMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,435 during the early year of their career.

Full George Mason University Report

#10

Marymount University

Arlington, Virginia
$54,717 Average Earnings
$28,439 Avg Student Debt

Marymount University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking.

On average, students take out $28,439 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $541. During the early years of their career, Marymount graduates make an average of $54,717 annually.

Read More…

#11

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, Virginia
$50,482 Average Earnings
$31,645 Avg Student Debt

Mary Baldwin University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $31,645 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mary Baldwin graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,482 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Mary Baldwin University

#12

Bluefield College

Bluefield, Virginia
$45,219 Average Earnings
$23,910 Avg Student Debt

Bluefield College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking.

Degree recipients from Bluefield College accumulate an average of $23,910 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bluefield College graduates make an average of $45,219 annually.

Full Bluefield College Report

#13

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
$33,198 Average Earnings
$15,354 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Blue Ridge Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,354 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BRCC graduates make an average of $33,198 annually.

Read More…

#14

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
$31,974 Average Earnings
$17,937 Avg Student Debt

Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list.

Degree recipients from TNCC accumulate an average of $17,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TNCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,974 during the early years of their career.

Full Thomas Nelson Community College Report

#15

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
$34,207 Average Earnings
$17,478 Avg Student Debt

John Tyler Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list.

Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $17,478 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from John Tyler Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,207 during the early years of their career.

Full John Tyler Community College Report

#16

South University, Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia
$44,331 Average Earnings
$43,863 Avg Student Debt

South University, Virginia Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list.

Degree recipients from South University, Virginia Beach accumulate an average of $43,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. Once they receive their degree, South University, Virginia Beach graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,331 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#17

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
$40,489 Average Earnings
$30,497 Avg Student Debt

Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,497 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Liberty University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,489 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Liberty University

$29,091 Average Earnings
$10,264 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Southside Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $10,264 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southside Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,091 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southside Virginia Community College

#19

Hampton University

Hampton, Virginia
$43,239 Average Earnings
$25,260 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Hampton University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,260 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $825, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Hampton graduates make an average of $43,239 annually.

Read full report on Hampton University

#20

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, Virginia
$33,592 Average Earnings
$15,696 Avg Student Debt

Germanna Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $15,696 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Germanna Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,592 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Germanna Community College

#21

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
$39,528 Average Earnings
$15,419 Avg Student Debt

Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,419 in student loans.After graduating from PVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,528 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Piedmont Virginia Community College

#22

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
$34,872 Average Earnings
$12,186 Avg Student Debt

Wytheville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from WCC accumulate an average of $12,186 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WCC graduates make an average of $34,872 annually.

Full Wytheville Community College Report

#23

Dabney S Lancaster Community College

Clifton Forge, Virginia
$39,149 Average Earnings
$13,751 Avg Student Debt

Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list.

On average, students take out $13,751 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DSLCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,149 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College

$30,072 Average Earnings
$10,224 Avg Student Debt

Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking.

Degree recipients from VHCC accumulate an average of $10,224 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, VHCC graduates make an average of $30,072 annually.

Read More…

#25

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
$30,686 Average Earnings
$15,242 Avg Student Debt

Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

On average, students take out $15,242 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Lord Fairfax Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,686 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Lord Fairfax Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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.

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