2026 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia

1

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 297 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $99,718 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for George Mason University

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 317 nursing students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from James Madison University earn around $87,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,347. Read more about the nursing program at James Madison University

3

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $76,013 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,910 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for University Of Mary Washington

4

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 275 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $98,628 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,130. Get the full nursing details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 360 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $128,772 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

6

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College placed #6 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,317. Students borrow a median of $26,432 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Randolph Macon College

7

Galen Health Institutes Richmond
Richmond, VA

Galen Health Institutes Richmond ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Galen Health Institutes Richmond is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Richmond. There were roughly 93 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Galen Health Institutes Richmond in the most recent data year. Get the full nursing details for Galen Health Institutes Richmond

8

Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 142 nursing degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $92,849 early in their careers. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $29,166 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Marymount University

9

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 127 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $72,905 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full nursing program report for Northern Virginia Community College

10

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 317 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $124,750 in their early career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Old Dominion University

11

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College came in at #11 for nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 159 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Germanna Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Germanna Community College earn around $67,779 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,543. Read more about the nursing program at Germanna Community College

12

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University landed the #12 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 150 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $103,180. Typical student debt for the program is $29,749. See the full nursing program report for Shenandoah University

13

Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University placed #13 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,016 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ecpi University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $83,705 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,285. More information about a degree in nursing from Ecpi University

14

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #14 among the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 317 nursing degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $85,443 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Radford University

15

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. About 128 nursing degrees were awarded at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $70,005 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,208 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

16

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Longwood University earn around $69,962 in the first couple years of their career. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $26,598 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Longwood University

17

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia
Vienna, VA

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Vienna. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia awarded about 217 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia generally make around $83,188. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia

18

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College came in at #18 for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 144 nursing students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $63,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,960. More information about a degree in nursing from John Tyler Community College

19

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 62 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Lord Fairfax Community College earn around $69,986 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,450. Get the full nursing details for Lord Fairfax Community College

20

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College earned the #20 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 nursing degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Read more about the nursing program at Lynchburg College

21

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 48 nursing degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $66,693 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Southside Virginia Community College

22

Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA

Central Virginia Community College came in at #22 for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Lynchburg. There were roughly 443 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Central Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Central Virginia Community College earn around $32,309 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Central Virginia Community College

23

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #23 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College awarded about 88 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $64,425 in their early career. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates carry a median of $20,502 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

24

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #24 among the best nursing schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 619 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Liberty University earn around $83,872 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,457. See the full nursing program report for Liberty University

25

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. There were roughly 76 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Highlands Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $65,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,460 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Virginia Highlands Community College