2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Virginia
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,502. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $64,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Virginia Highlands Community College, which ranked #2. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,460 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $65,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $63,660. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Rappahannock Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $70,527. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,450. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Patrick Henry Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,837. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $65,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,647. Soon after graduation, registered 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 registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,543. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $67,779. Set against $16,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $64,052 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $66,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,612. Registered 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 came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $62,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,466. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,300. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,353. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
Danville Community College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $70,615. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $69,764. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $14,208 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $70,005. Set against $14,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,475 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,303. That is a strong return on a $7,475 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Old Dominion University placed #22 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $124,750. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Registered Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,752. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $56,221. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 49 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.
