2026 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Virginia? This list ranks 147 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 106 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Virginia
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 Nursing school in Virginia. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,627. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
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The strong Nursing programs at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #2 place in Virginia. Set in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. The median Nursing program debt is $23,813. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
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The strong Nursing programs at James Madison University earned it the #3 place in Virginia. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,218. Read the full report on James Madison University
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You'll be in good company at Old Dominion University, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. The median Nursing program debt is $26,001. Read the full report on Old Dominion University
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The strong Nursing programs at Shenandoah University earned it the #5 place in Virginia. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winchester, VA. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Read the full report on Shenandoah University
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Eastern Mennonite University landed the #6 spot in Virginia this year. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,920. Eastern Mennonite University Nursing students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Get the full Eastern Mennonite University report
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Radford University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Radford University is a public school based in Radford, VA. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. The median Nursing program debt is $25,514. Read the full report on Radford University
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Ecpi University landed the #8 spot in Virginia this year. Ecpi University is a private for-profit school based in Virginia Beach, VA. Ecpi University graduates 28% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,988 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Ecpi University
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George Mason University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Nursing program here. More on George Mason University
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Marymount University placed #10 among Nursing schools in Virginia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Arlington, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,120. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,880. Get the full Marymount University report
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Mary Baldwin College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Staunton, VA. About 39% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,562. Read more about Mary Baldwin College
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Bluefield College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Bluefield, VA, Bluefield College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bluefield College posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Read more about Bluefield College
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Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #13 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a public school based in Weyers Cave, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave report
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Thomas Nelson Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Thomas Nelson Community College is a public school based in Hampton, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. The median Nursing program debt is $14,402. Read more about Thomas Nelson Community College
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John Tyler Community College landed the #15 spot in Virginia this year. Set in Chester, VA, John Tyler Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. John Tyler Community College Nursing students take on a median of $11,262 in debt. See the full John Tyler Community College profile
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South Universityvirginia Beach placed #16 among Nursing schools in Virginia. South Universityvirginia Beach is a private for-profit school based in Virginia Beach, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,895. South Universityvirginia Beach Nursing students take on a median of $48,920 in debt. Read more about South Universityvirginia Beach
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Liberty University placed #17 among Nursing schools in Virginia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. The median Nursing program debt is $27,414. Get the full Liberty University report
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Southside Virginia Community College placed #18 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Located in Alberta, VA, Southside Virginia Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Southside Virginia Community College
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Hampton University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Hampton, VA, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Hampton University graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,592. Hampton University Nursing students take on a median of $26,169 in debt. Read more about Hampton University
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Germanna Community College placed #20 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Germanna Community College is a public school based in Locust Grove, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Germanna Community College Nursing students take on a median of $10,999 in debt. Get the full Germanna Community College report
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Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlottesville, VA, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Get the full Piedmont Virginia Community College report
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Wytheville Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Wytheville, VA, Wytheville Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. The median Nursing program debt is $9,542. Get the full Wytheville Community College report
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Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Clifton Forge, VA, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Get the full Dabney S Lancaster Community College report
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Virginia Highlands Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Abingdon, VA, Virginia Highlands Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates carry a median of $7,490 in student loans. Read more about Virginia Highlands Community College
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Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #25 spot in Virginia this year. This public school is set in Middletown, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Lord Fairfax Community College report
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Richmond, VA, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Nursing students take on a median of $16,131 in debt. See the full J Sargeant Reynolds Community College profile
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Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach landed the #27 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,752 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,715 in student loans. Read more about Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach
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Danville Community College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Danville, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. More on Danville Community College
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Patrick Henry Community College placed #29 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Set in Martinsville, VA, Patrick Henry Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Patrick Henry Community College Nursing students take on a median of $11,235 in debt. More on Patrick Henry Community College
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Rappahannock Community College landed the #30 spot in Virginia this year. Rappahannock Community College is a public school based in Glenns, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Rappahannock Community College profile
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Regent University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Regent University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Regent University Nursing students take on a median of $29,451 in debt. More on Regent University
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Virginia Western Community College landed the #32 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Roanoke, VA, Virginia Western Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Western Community College
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Tidewater Community College landed the #33 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Norfolk, VA, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. The median Nursing program debt is $14,001. Get the full Tidewater Community College report
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Mountain Empire Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Big Stone Gap, VA, Mountain Empire Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Mountain Empire Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,036 in debt. More on Mountain Empire Community College
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Paul D Camp Community College placed #35 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Set in Franklin, VA, Paul D Camp Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,012, compared with $11,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,074 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Paul D Camp Community College
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Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Cedar Bluff, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical Nursing student debt is $5,500. Get the full Southwest Virginia Community College report
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New River Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Dublin, VA, New River Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. New River Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,132 in debt. More on New River Community College
Request InformationPotomac College Herndon did well this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Potomac College Herndon
Request InformationChristopher Newport University did well this year, earning the #39 position. More on Christopher Newport University
Request InformationThe Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics placed #40 among Nursing schools in Virginia. More on The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics
Request InformationThe University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #41 spot in Virginia this year. More on The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Request InformationArizona College Of Nursing Chesapeake placed #42 among Nursing schools in Virginia. Read more about Arizona College Of Nursing Chesapeake
Request InformationDanville Regional Medical Center School Of Health Professions landed the #43 spot in Virginia this year. More on Danville Regional Medical Center School Of Health Professions
Request InformationNorfolk State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Norfolk State University
Request InformationNorthern Virginia School Of Therapeutic Massage did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Northern Virginia School Of Therapeutic Massage profile
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Randolph College
Randolph College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Randolph College
Request InformationSylvain Melloul International Hair Academy did well this year, earning the #47 position. More on Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy
Request InformationLynchburg College did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Lynchburg College
Request InformationHenrico County Saint Marys Hospital School Of Practical Nursing landed the #49 spot in Virginia this year. See the full Henrico County Saint Marys Hospital School Of Practical Nursing profile
Request InformationHampden Sydney College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Hampden Sydney College
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 106 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 147 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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