Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Virginia has dozens of accredited nursing programs across community colleges and four-year universities, listed in full on this page. Every school on this page is verified in the federal IPEDS database and carries either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. The map above plots each program's location and the sortable table below shows in-state tuition, program length, and completion rate for direct comparison.

Question 2

Which Virginia nursing program has the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved program in the state. Rates fluctuate year to year. Our NCLEX pass rates guide compiles the most recent state-level and top-program data for Virginia and every other state, updated after each board release. Check the current annual report from Virginia Board of Nursing before your final enrollment decision.

Question 3

What is the average cost of nursing school in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Public community college ADN programs in Virginia typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per year for state residents. Public university BSN programs run $8,000 to $15,000 per year in-state and $22,000 to $35,000 per year out-of-state. Private university BSN programs charge $28,000 to $45,000 per year regardless of residency. Institutional aid, state grants, and federal Pell grants substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost for most students.

Question 4

Do Virginia hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses or require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Most Virginia hospitals hire ADN registered nurses for medical-surgical, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Larger urban systems and magnet-status facilities increasingly prefer or require a BSN for hospital positions, especially in specialty units like ICU, ER, and OR. If you start at ADN level, plan for an online RN-to-BSN completion within three years of your first job. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for this bridge.

Question 5

How does Virginia RN licensure work?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a Virginia Board of Nursing approved program, apply for RN licensure through Virginia Board of Nursing, complete a criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the complete step-by-step process, including timing, fees, and endorsement rules for nurses moving to Virginia from other states.

Question 6

Is Virginia part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Accepted Answer

Compact membership varies by state and changes as legislatures act. Once you hold a compact-state RN license, you can practice in any of the 41 other compact states without additional licensure. Check the current status of Virginia in the Nurse Licensure Compact through Virginia Board of Nursing before assuming multi-state privileges. Non-compact states require endorsement application and fees for each additional state you plan to practice in.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows RN median wages in Virginia vary significantly by metro area, hospital type, and specialty. Statewide medians typically fall between $65,000 and $90,000 per year. Urban acute care and specialty units pay above the state median. Rural and long-term care settings pay below. Travel nursing contracts in Virginia commonly pay $2,000 to $2,800 per week. Full salary breakdown by specialty and years of experience is on the nurse salary guide.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to Virginia residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Virginia residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six commonly-available accredited online programs are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students at local Virginia hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are particularly popular for working nurses in Virginia who need scheduling flexibility around 12-hour shift work.

Question 9

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a Virginia nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Nursing programs in Virginia typically require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in Virginia offer these prerequisites at low cost and credits transfer directly to state university BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first-choice program.

Question 10

How long does nursing school take in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the program type. Practical nurse (LPN) diploma programs run 12 to 18 months. Associate degree (ADN) programs at community colleges run two years. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities take four years. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for working nurses typically take 12 to 24 months of part-time study.


American National University	Salem, VA	$10,961	Private for-profit	33%
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church	Falls Church, VA	$24,413	Private for-profit	Not reported
Averett University	Danville, VA	$38,550	Private non-profit	48%
Blue Ridge Community College	Weyers Cave, VA	$5,646	Public	40%
Bluefield University	Bluefield, VA	$26,770	Private non-profit	18%
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing	Richmond, VA	Not reported	Private non-profit	Not reported
Brightpoint Community College	Chester, VA	$5,082	Public	38%
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach, VA	$18,489	Private non-profit	24%
Centra College	Lynchburg, VA	$12,983	Private non-profit	100%
Central Virginia Community College	Lynchburg, VA	$5,157	Public	45%
Chamberlain University-Virginia	Vienna, VA	$20,785	Private for-profit	100%
Danville Community College	Danville, VA	$4,992	Public	39%
Eastern Mennonite University	Harrisonburg, VA	$43,920	Private non-profit	67%
Eastern Virginia Career College	Fredericksburg, VA	Not reported	Private for-profit	66%
ECPI University	Virginia Beach, VA	$18,484	Private for-profit	42%
Emory & Henry University	Emory, VA	$39,000	Private non-profit	56%
Ferrum College	Ferrum, VA	$28,520	Private non-profit	32%
Fortis College-Norfolk	Norfolk, VA	$14,801	Private for-profit	30%
Fortis College-Richmond	Richmond, VA	$15,688	Private for-profit	50%
Galen Health Institutes-Richmond	Richmond, VA	$16,364	Private for-profit	Not reported
Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke	Roanoke, VA	$16,364	Private for-profit	Not reported
George Mason University	Fairfax, VA	$14,220	Public	68%
Germanna Community College	Locust Grove, VA	$5,257	Public	46%
Hampton University	Hampton, VA	$30,592	Private non-profit	57%
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Richmond, VA	$5,280	Public	32%
James Madison University	Harrisonburg, VA	$14,250	Public	80%
Laurel Ridge Community College	Middletown, VA	$5,072	Public	45%
Liberty University	Lynchburg, VA	$22,465	Private non-profit	65%
Longwood University	Farmville, VA	$15,744	Public	61%
Mary Baldwin University	Staunton, VA	$34,152	Private non-profit	39%
Marymount University	Arlington, VA	$40,920	Private non-profit	54%
Mountain Empire Community College	Big Stone Gap, VA	$5,007	Public	48%
Mountain Gateway Community College	Clifton Forge, VA	$5,022	Public	38%
New River Community College	Dublin, VA	$4,979	Public	50%
Norfolk State University	Norfolk, VA	$10,180	Public	39%
Northern Virginia Community College	Annandale, VA	$5,891	Public	33%
Old Dominion University	Norfolk, VA	$12,750	Public	46%
Patrick & Henry Community College	Martinsville, VA	$5,002	Public	42%
Paul D Camp Community College	Franklin, VA	$5,012	Public	36%
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Charlottesville, VA	$5,072	Public	39%
Radford University	Radford, VA	$12,548	Public	49%
Randolph-Macon College	Ashland, VA	$49,466	Private non-profit	70%
Rappahannock Community College	Glenns, VA	$5,102	Public	45%
Regent University	Virginia Beach, VA	$21,650	Private non-profit	57%
Riverside College of Health Sciences	Newport News, VA	$17,250	Private non-profit	100%
Sentara College of Health Sciences	Chesapeake, VA	Not reported	Private non-profit	Not reported
Shenandoah University	Winchester, VA	$36,950	Private non-profit	67%
South University-Richmond	Glen Allen, VA	$18,145	Private for-profit	42%
South University-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach, VA	$18,145	Private for-profit	8%
Southside College of Health Sciences	Colonial Heights, VA	Not reported	Private non-profit	Not reported
Southside Virginia Community College	Alberta, VA	$5,007	Public	42%
Southwest Virginia Community College	Cedar Bluff, VA	$5,075	Public	46%
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing	Falls Church, VA	Not reported	Private for-profit	66%
Strayer University-Virginia	Arlington, VA	$13,920	Private for-profit	36%
Tidewater Community College	Norfolk, VA	$5,588	Public	32%
University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg, VA	$36,750	Private non-profit	57%
University of Mary Washington	Fredericksburg, VA	$14,640	Public	66%
University of Virginia-Main Campus	Charlottesville, VA	$21,803	Public	96%
University of Virginia's College at Wise	Wise, VA	$11,780	Public	47%
Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond, VA	$16,945	Public	63%
Virginia Highlands Community College	Abingdon, VA	$5,022	Public	40%
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Hampton, VA	$5,088	Public	34%
Virginia State University	Petersburg, VA	$10,043	Public	39%
Virginia Western Community College	Roanoke, VA	$5,400	Public	40%
Wytheville Community College	Wytheville, VA	$5,007	Public	47%

Nursing Programs in Virginia

All accredited programs in Virginia

Top-completion nursing programs in Virginia

Centra College

Riverside College of Health Sciences

Chamberlain University-Virginia

University of Virginia-Main Campus

James Madison University

Becoming an RN in Virginia

Paying for nursing school in Virginia

Prefer to start online this month? Virginia residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in Virginia

Compare programs in nearby states

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