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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

37 Schools Ranked
$14,072 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 37 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Schools in Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Reynolds Community College

Richmond, Virginia
124 Total Awards
$8,800 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,598 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Reynolds Community College to be the best value school for nursing students in Virginia. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 124 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Reynolds Community College are $8,800 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Reynolds Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,589 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Reynolds Community College

#2

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
95 Total Awards
$10,809 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Nelson Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. TNCC is a public institution located in Hampton, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 95 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at TNCC are $10,809 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,937 in student loans.After graduating from TNCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,974 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Thomas Nelson Community College

168 Total Awards
$10,698 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southside Virginia Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. Southside Virginia Community College is located in Alberta, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 168 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southside Virginia Community College are $10,698 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,264 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southside Virginia Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,091 during the early year of their career.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Report

#4

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
121 Total Awards
$10,803 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at John Tyler Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Virginia. This medium-sized public school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 121 degrees in 2020-2021.

John Tyler Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,803 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,478 in loans while pursuing 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.

Read full report on John Tyler Community College

#5

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
91 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wytheville Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. Wytheville Community College is a small public school located in Wytheville, Virginia that handed out 91 degrees in 2020-2021.

WCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,728 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,186 in student loans.After graduating from WCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,872 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wytheville Community College

#6

Dabney S Lancaster Community College

Clifton Forge, Virginia
61 Total Awards
$10,713 Average Tuition & Fees

Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in Clifton Forge, Virginia that handed out 61 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DSLCC are $10,713 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from DSLCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,149 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College

#7

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, Virginia
158 Total Awards
$10,916 Average Tuition & Fees

Germanna Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Germanna Community College is a public institution located in Locust Grove, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 158 degrees in 2020-2021.

Germanna Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,916 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $15,696 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Germanna Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,592 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
86 Total Awards
$10,793 Average Tuition & Fees

Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 86 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PVCC are $10,793 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,419 in student loans. During the early years of their career, PVCC graduates make an average of $39,528 annually.

Read full report on Piedmont Virginia Community College

94 Total Awards
$10,713 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. VHCC is a small public school situated in Abingdon, Virginia. It awarded 94 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at VHCC are $10,713 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,224 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from VHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,072 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
137 Total Awards
$11,367 Average Tuition & Fees

Blue Ridge Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. BRCC is a public institution located in Weyers Cave, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 137 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BRCC are $11,367 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,354 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BRCC graduates make an average of $33,198 annually.

Full Blue Ridge Community College Report

#11

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
126 Total Awards
$10,742 Average Tuition & Fees

Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Middletown, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 126 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Lord Fairfax Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,742 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,242 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Lord Fairfax Community College graduates make an average of $30,686 annually.

Full Lord Fairfax Community College Report

#12

Danville Community College

Danville, Virginia
44 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,344 Avg Student Debt

Danville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Danville Community College is located in Danville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Danville Community College are $10,728 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,344 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Danville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,785 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Patrick Henry Community College

Martinsville, Virginia
52 Total Awards
$10,723 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,044 Avg Student Debt

Patrick Henry Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Martinsville, Virginia, and it awarded 52 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Patrick Henry are $10,723 per year. On average, students take out $11,044 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Patrick Henry, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,396 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Rappahannock Community College

Glenns, Virginia
209 Total Awards
$10,823 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,071 Avg Student Debt

Rappahannock Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. RCC is a small public school situated in Glenns, Virginia. It awarded 209 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at RCC are $10,823 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,071 in student loans. During the early years of their career, RCC graduates make an average of $27,624 annually.

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#15

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
98 Total Awards
$10,713 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,313 Avg Student Debt

Mountain Empire Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Mountain Empire Community College is a small public school located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia that handed out 98 degrees in 2020-2021.

MECC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,713 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,313 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MECC graduates make an average of $32,424 annually.

Read More…

#16

Paul D Camp Community College

Franklin, Virginia
49 Total Awards
$10,733 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,993 Avg Student Debt

Paul D Camp Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Franklin, Virginia, the small public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Paul D Camp Community College are $10,733 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,993 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Paul D Camp Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,215 during the early years of their career.

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#17

Southwest Virginia Community College

Richlands, Virginia
70 Total Awards
$10,706 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,720 Avg Student Debt

Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Southwest Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Richlands, Virginia that handed out 70 degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Virginia undergraduate students pay an average of $10,706 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,720 in student loans.After graduating from Southwest Virginia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $27,976 during the early years of their career.

Full Southwest Virginia Community College Report

74 Total Awards
$11,358 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,770 Avg Student Debt

Virginia Western Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Roanoke, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Western Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,358 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,770 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Virginia Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,159 during the early year of their career.

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#19

New River Community College

Dublin, Virginia
82 Total Awards
$10,699 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,397 Avg Student Debt

New River Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Dublin, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.

NRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,699 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,397 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from NRCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,956 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on New River Community College

#20

Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, Virginia
54 Total Awards
$11,564 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,518 Avg Student Debt

Tidewater Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 54 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tidewater Community College are $11,564 a year. On average, students take out $17,518 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Tidewater Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,302 during the early years of their career.

Full Tidewater Community College Report

#21

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
290 Total Awards
$29,564 Average Tuition & Fees

James Madison University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the large public school handed out 290 degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU undergraduate students pay an average of $29,564 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school 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.After graduating from JMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,195 during the early years of their career.

JMU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list.

Read full report on James Madison University

#22

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
336 Total Awards
$30,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Old Dominion University is a large public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 336 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Old Dominion are $30,960 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,724 in student loans. 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. Once they receive their degree, Old Dominion graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,278 during the early year of their career.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Old Dominion is ranked #4 for overall quality in Virginia.

Full Old Dominion University Report

#23

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
255 Total Awards
$23,624 Average Tuition & Fees

Radford University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Radford, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 255 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Radford undergraduate students pay an average of $23,624 in tuition and fees each year. 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.After graduating from Radford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,099 during the early years of their career.

In addition to its great value ranking, Radford is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list.

Full Radford University Report

#24

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
377 Total Awards
$36,366 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking. This large public school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 377 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at VCU are $36,366 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,106 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $227, assuming you 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.

VCU also made our Best Nursing Schools in Virginia list, coming in at #2.

Read full report on Virginia Commonwealth University

#25

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
725 Total Awards
$16,160 Average Tuition & Fees

Liberty University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 725 degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University undergraduate students pay an average of $16,160 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $30,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually.

Full Liberty University Report

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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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