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2025 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia

52 Colleges in Virginia
7,194 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools in Virginia to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,194 degrees in nursing annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School

Best Nursing Schools in Virginia The nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Nursing rankings. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Nursing Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Schools in Virginia ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Nursing in Virginia

The schools below may not offer all types of nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

10 Top Virginia Schools in Nursing

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
286 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$90,179 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in nursing needs to check out University of Virginia - Main Campus. University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 286 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus earn a boost of about $6,072 over the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
387 Nursing Degrees Awarded
2.6% Growth in Graduates

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in nursing. VCU is a very large public university located in the city of Richmond. A Best Colleges rank of #189 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means VCU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 387 nursing students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Virginia Commonwealth University receive $17,861 more than the typical nursing graduate.

More information about a degree in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN Program Name

With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
905 Nursing Degrees Awarded
13.8% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat ECPI University if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #215 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means ECPI University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 905 nursing students who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $73,406.

More information about a degree in nursing from ECPI University

4
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
317 Nursing Degrees Awarded
8.5% Growth in Graduates

James Madison University is a great decision for students interested in a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 317 nursing students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, nursing degree recipients generally make around $79,484 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from James Madison University

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Nursing Degrees Awarded
17.0% Growth in Graduates

Southside Virginia Community College is a small public college located in the remote area of Alberta. A Best Colleges rank of #294 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Southside Virginia Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 53 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $66,693 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from Southside Virginia Community College

6
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
127 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$82,881 Median Starting Salary

Marymount is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Arlington. A Best Colleges rank of #449 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Marymount is a great university overall.

There were about 127 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marymount in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $82,881.

More information about a degree in nursing from Marymount University

7
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
207 Nursing Degrees Awarded
11.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #337 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Shenandoah is a great university overall.

There were roughly 207 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients generally earn an average of $85,353 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from Shenandoah University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN Program Name

At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
333 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$83,684 Median Starting Salary

Old Dominion is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Norfolk. A Best Colleges rank of #495 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Old Dominion is a great university overall.

There were roughly 333 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $83,684 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from Old Dominion University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
304 Nursing Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 304 nursing students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $85,342.

More information about a degree in nursing from George Mason University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
124 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$69,177 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #577 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a great college overall.

There were roughly 124 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $69,177 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Schools in Virginia award.

Rank College Location
11 Radford University Radford, VA
12 Virginia Highlands Community College Abingdon, VA
13 Rappahannock Community College Glenns, VA
14 Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap, VA
15 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
16 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
17 Patrick Henry Community College Martinsville, VA

Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 7,016
Florida 282 21,034
North Carolina 279 7,329
Tennessee 269 5,906
South Carolina 248 3,276
Kentucky 244 6,143
Louisiana 242 3,416
Mississippi 234 2,801
Arkansas 234 2,878
Alabama 233 7,210
West Virginia 207 1,768

View All Rankings >

One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 6,193
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 250
Nursing Practice 240
Nursing Administration 218
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 93
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 64
Nurse Anesthetist 46
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 31
Nursing Science 22
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 18

View All Nursing Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Allied Health Professions 2,678
Mental & Social Health Services 2,350
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 1,723
Health & Medical Administrative Services 1,675
Medicine 1,144
Public Health 1,028
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 896
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 718
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services 484
Dental Support Services 412

View All Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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