2027 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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 Paul D Camp Community College this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. In-state tuition and fees average $5,012, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rappahannock Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Germanna Community College, which ranked #3. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,543 in student loans. 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.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
A rank of #5 makes Patrick Henry Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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 registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $64,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,660. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Wytheville Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,647. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $54,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,460. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,848. Set against $9,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia 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. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $66,693 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,450. Registered Nursing graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $69,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,450 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $68,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. 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. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $5,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $56,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $72,905 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $62,614. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. 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 registered nursing graduates is $11,582. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,615. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,714. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $72,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $67,353. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $7,475. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,764. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,752 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,342. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Radford University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Radford University earn a median of $85,443 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $124,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
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
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
