2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Virginia
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing science schools.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in nursing science in Virginia. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $22,750. Nursing Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $98,628. That is a strong return on a $15,130 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
More Nursing Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
