2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $64,425. That is a strong return on a $20,502 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Virginia Highlands Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $9,460 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $65,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #3. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,660. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rappahannock Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $16,450 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Patrick Henry Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,837 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $65,507. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,647 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $54,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $16,543 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,779. That is a strong return on a $16,543 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $64,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Nursing graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $66,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,612 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $68,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,612 median debt.
New River Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $62,614 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,905. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,300 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,353. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,582. Nursing graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $70,615 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $69,764 early in their careers. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $70,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,303. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $124,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,752. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $5,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $56,221. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
