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Best Nursing Schools in Virginia: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 15, 2026

Virginia offers 15 nursing programs from $4,938 at community colleges to $21,222 at Liberty, with VCU and ODU graduates earning over $180,000.

Overview of Nursing Education in Virginia

Virginia has 15 nursing programs across 8 universities and 7 community colleges. The state features both elite programs — UVA's nursing school with a 16.9% acceptance rate — and extensive community college options through the Virginia Community College System. Northern Virginia's proximity to major DC-area hospitals adds unique clinical opportunities.

Top University Nursing Programs

Old Dominion University (Norfolk) produces the highest-earning nursing graduates in Virginia at $193,012/year for doctoral programs. In-state tuition is $12,262 with a 90.5% acceptance rate — exceptional value.

Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) follows closely with doctoral nursing graduates earning $181,915/year at $16,458 in-state tuition.

University of Virginia (Charlottesville) is the most selective at 16.9% acceptance with a 95.3% graduation rate. Doctoral nursing graduates earn $131,091/year at $20,986 tuition.

James Madison University (Harrisonburg) offers Master's nursing at $13,576/year with graduates earning $97,814 and an 81.0% graduation rate.

George Mason University (Fairfax) provides doctoral programs at $13,815/year with $101,702 nursing earnings, ideal for Northern Virginia students.

Liberty University (Lynchburg) — the largest program with 50,059 students — offers Master's nursing at $21,222 with graduates earning $87,831.

Community College Nursing Programs

Virginia's community colleges are affordable and widespread:

Brightpoint CC (Chester): $4,938/year, $60,457 earnings
Northern Virginia CC (Annandale): $5,703/year, $61,377 earnings — the largest with 31,737 students
Germanna CC (Locust Grove): $5,066/year, $59,374 earnings
J Sargeant Reynolds CC (Richmond): $5,136/year, $54,042 earnings
Virginia Western CC (Roanoke): $5,256/year, $53,680 earnings
Virginia Peninsula CC (Hampton): $4,944/year, $56,528 earnings
Tidewater CC (Norfolk): $5,714/year, $56,086 earnings

How to Choose

Highest earnings: ODU ($12,262 tuition, $193K earnings) or VCU ($16,458, $181K)
Most selective: UVA (16.9% acceptance, $131K earnings)
Northern Virginia: George Mason or NOVA CC
Most affordable: Brightpoint CC or Virginia Peninsula CC (under $5,000/year)

Nursing Job Market

Virginia's healthcare sector is robust, anchored by Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, VCU Health, and UVA Health. Northern Virginia benefits from proximity to DC-area hospitals. Hampton Roads and Richmond also have strong nursing demand.

Financial Aid

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant for private university students
Commonwealth Award — need-based for public university students
G3 Program — last-dollar-free community college for high-demand fields including nursing

Next Steps

Compare Virginia nursing programs on GradeToGrad.