2027 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools to find the best for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Nursing
Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for nursing. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 318 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from George Mason University
James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 289 nursing students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $87,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,347 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for James Madison University
University Of Mary Washington came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $76,013 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,910 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Mary Washington
A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 267 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $98,628 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 350 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $128,772 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Virginia Commonwealth University
Randolph Macon College placed #6 among the best nursing schools. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. About 70% of students finish within six years. Randolph Macon College awarded about 26 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $40,317 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,432.
Get the full nursing details for Randolph Macon College
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 for nursing this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 121 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $72,905 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Northern Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University earned the #8 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Old Dominion University awarded about 285 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Old Dominion University earn around $124,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Old Dominion University
Marymount University earned the #9 position for nursing this year. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. Marymount University awarded about 155 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $92,849 in their early career. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $29,166 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Marymount University
Ecpi University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 1,205 nursing degrees were awarded at Ecpi University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $83,705 in their early career. Ecpi University graduates carry a median of $32,285 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Ecpi University
Germanna Community College placed #11 among the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Germanna Community College awarded about 196 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $67,779. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $16,543 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Germanna Community College
Shenandoah University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 124 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $103,180 early in their careers. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $29,749 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Shenandoah University
Radford University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 351 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $85,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in nursing from Radford University
Lynchburg College came in at #14 for nursing this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Lynchburg College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lynchburg College generally make around $107,159.
See the full nursing program report for Lynchburg College
Longwood University earned the #15 position for nursing this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Longwood University awarded about 39 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $69,962. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $26,598 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Longwood University
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Vienna, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a small private for-profit university. About 100% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 144 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia earn around $83,188 in the first couple years of their career. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 64 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $69,986 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,450 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Lord Fairfax Community College
John Tyler Community College earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. John Tyler Community College awarded about 112 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from John Tyler Community College earn around $63,660 in the first couple years of their career. John Tyler Community College graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for John Tyler Community College
Central Virginia Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 170 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Central Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
Read more about the nursing program at Central Virginia Community College
Emory And Henry College came in at #20 for nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Emory And Henry College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Emory And Henry College
Liberty University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 628 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $83,872. Typical student debt for the program is $27,457.
More information about a degree in nursing from Liberty University
Bluefield College came in at #22 for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Bluefield. Roughly 18% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bluefield College awarded about 24 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $89,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,442 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Bluefield College
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach came in at #23 for 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. About 222 nursing degrees were awarded at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn around $70,342 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. About 77 nursing degrees were awarded at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $70,005. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave graduates carry a median of $14,208 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #25 position for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 75 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Highlands Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Virginia Highlands Community College earn around $65,848 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Highlands Community College graduates carry a median of $9,460 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Virginia Highlands Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
These schools also placed among the best for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 59 schools evaluated.
- 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.
