by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia earned the #1 spot for highest-paid nursing graduates in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Vienna, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia make a median of around $92,768 per year.
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Colonial Heights, Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools typically earn about $78,393 annually.
Northern Virginia Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of about $81,383 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Shenandoah University one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Nursing graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of about $93,565 a year early in their careers.
Marymount University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Marymount University typically earn about $96,896 annually.
South Universityvirginia Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. South Universityvirginia Beach is a private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Nursing graduates of South Universityvirginia Beach earn a median of about $91,733 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for nursing salaries this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,260.
South Universityrichmond ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Allen, South Universityrichmond is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of South Universityrichmond earn a median of about $94,024 a year early in their careers.
Fortis College Norfolk landed the #9 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Fortis College Norfolk is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Fortis College Norfolk make a median of around $76,668 per year.
Fortis College Richmond ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, Fortis College Richmond is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,668.
Ecpi University came in at #11 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Ecpi University is a private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,009.
Paul D Camp Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing salaries this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a public school located in the town of Franklin. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,530.
Sentara College Of Health Sciences ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Chesapeake, Sentara College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Sentara College Of Health Sciences make a median of around $84,691 per year.
George Mason University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $96,969 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Old Dominion University is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Nursing graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $96,774 a year early in their careers.
Germanna Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Germanna Community College typically earn about $78,491 annually.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College typically earn about $77,265 annually.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #18 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Lord Fairfax Community College make a median of around $73,312 per year.
Tidewater Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Tidewater Community College typically earn about $73,293 annually.
John Tyler Community College earned the #20 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of about $75,019 a year early in their careers.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Nursing graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of about $74,046 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career nursing graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $79,692 per year.
Rappahannock Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College typically earn about $70,527 annually.
Bon Secours Memorial College Of Nursing earned the #24 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Bon Secours Memorial College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,915.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Southside Virginia Community College make a median of around $74,159 per year.
These schools also send nursing graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries nursing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 51 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
