2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia

1

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

For return on investment in nursing, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $64,425. That is a strong return on a $20,502 median debt.

2

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Virginia Highlands Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $9,460 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $65,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.

3

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #3. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,660. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.

4

Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA

Central Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Rappahannock Community College
Glenns, VA

Rappahannock Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $16,450 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,837 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $65,507. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA

Wytheville Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,647 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $54,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $16,543 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,779. That is a strong return on a $16,543 median debt.

10

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $64,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Nursing graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $66,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

12

Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin, VA

Paul D Camp Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,612 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $68,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,612 median debt.

13

New River Community College
Dublin, VA

New River Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $62,614 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,905. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.

15

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,300 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,353. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Danville Community College
Danville, VA

Danville Community College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,582. Nursing graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $70,615 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $69,764 early in their careers. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $70,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, VA

Mountain Empire Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,303. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Dabney S Lancaster Community College
Clifton Forge, VA

Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.

22

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $124,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

23

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

24

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,752. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.

25

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $5,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $56,221. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.