2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Virginia

1

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 260 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $99,718 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for George Mason University

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 274 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $87,152. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,347 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for James Madison University

3

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for registered nursing. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 37 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $76,013. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $16,910 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Mary Washington

4

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 251 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $98,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,130. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 203 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $128,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. See the full registered nursing program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

6

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College earned the #6 position for registered nursing this year. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,317 early in their careers. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Randolph Macon College

7

Galen Health Institutes Richmond
Richmond, VA

Galen Health Institutes Richmond placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Galen Health Institutes Richmond is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Richmond. There were roughly 93 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Galen Health Institutes Richmond in the most recent data year. See the full registered nursing program report for Galen Health Institutes Richmond

8

Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University came in at #8 for registered 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 105 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $92,849 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,166 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Marymount University

9

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 127 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $72,905 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Northern Virginia Community College

10

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. About 46% of students finish within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 264 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $124,750. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Old Dominion University

11

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Germanna Community College awarded about 159 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Germanna Community College earn around $67,779 in the first couple years of their career. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $16,543 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Germanna Community College

12

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winchester. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 108 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $103,180 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,749 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Shenandoah University

13

Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. Ecpi University awarded about 1,010 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ecpi University earn around $83,705 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,285. See the full registered nursing program report for Ecpi University

14

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 259 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $85,443. Radford University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Radford University

15

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave awarded about 128 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $70,005 early in their careers. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave graduates carry a median of $14,208 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

16

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University came in at #16 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 55 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Longwood University earn around $69,962 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,598 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Longwood University

17

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia
Vienna, VA

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia came in at #17 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Vienna, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a small private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia awarded about 217 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia generally make around $83,188. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia

18

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. John Tyler Community College awarded about 144 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $63,660 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,960. See the full registered nursing program report for John Tyler Community College

19

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Middletown. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 62 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $69,986 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,450. Read more about the registered nursing program at Lord Fairfax Community College

20

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 38 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lynchburg College generally make around $107,159. Get the full registered nursing details for Lynchburg College

21

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. About 48 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,693 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the registered nursing program at Southside Virginia Community College

22

Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA

Central Virginia Community College earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Central Virginia Community College awarded about 443 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Central Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Central Virginia Community College

23

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. About 88 registered nursing degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $64,425. Typical student debt for the program is $20,502. Read more about the registered nursing program at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

24

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 242 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,872 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,457. Get the full registered nursing details for Liberty University

25

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 76 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Virginia Highlands Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $65,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,460 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Virginia Highlands Community College