Best Nursing Schools in Richmond: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
January 15, 2026
Compare 6 Richmond nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Richmond?
Richmond offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 6 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
In-state tuition: $16,458/year | Acceptance rate: 93.1% | Graduation rate: 64.9%
Nursing graduates earn $181,915/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 20,797 students.
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (Richmond)
In-state tuition: N/A/year
Nursing graduates earn $64,247/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 527 students.
South University-Richmond (Glen Allen)
In-state tuition: $18,238/year | Graduation rate: 20.9%
Nursing graduates earn $102,466/year (Graduate Certificate). Enrollment: 244 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | $5,136/yr | $54,042/yr |
| Fortis College-Richmond | Richmond | $14,986/yr | $70,471/yr |
| Southside College of Health Sciences | Colonial Heights | N/A/yr | $75,357/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Richmond:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Virginia's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Richmond nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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