Best Nursing Schools in Virginia Beach/Norfolk: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
January 19, 2026
Compare 10 Virginia Beach/Norfolk nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Virginia Beach/Norfolk?
Virginia Beach/Norfolk offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 10 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
Old Dominion University (Norfolk)
In-state tuition: $12,262/year | Acceptance rate: 90.5% | Graduation rate: 46.2%
Nursing graduates earn $193,012/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 17,521 students.
ECPI University (Virginia Beach)
In-state tuition: $18,484/year | Acceptance rate: 82.9% | Graduation rate: 47.8%
Nursing graduates earn $102,419/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 11,270 students.
Hampton University (Hampton)
In-state tuition: $29,162/year | Acceptance rate: 48.3% | Graduation rate: 50.5%
Nursing graduates earn $67,779/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 3,254 students.
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach)
In-state tuition: $18,457/year | Graduation rate: 27.2%
Nursing graduates earn $71,701/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 1,327 students.
Riverside College of Health Careers (Newport News)
In-state tuition: $14,875/year | Acceptance rate: 16.7%
Nursing graduates earn $69,644/year (Associate's Degree). Enrollment: 325 students.
South University-Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach)
In-state tuition: $18,238/year | Graduation rate: 21.6%
Nursing graduates earn $102,466/year (Graduate Certificate). Enrollment: 252 students.
Sentara College of Health Sciences (Chesapeake)
In-state tuition: N/A/year
Nursing graduates earn $64,665/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 239 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | $5,714/yr | $56,086/yr |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton | $4,944/yr | $56,528/yr |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk | $14,083/yr | $70,471/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Virginia Beach/Norfolk:
- 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 Virginia Beach/Norfolk nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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