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2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Virginia

57 Colleges in the United States
6,375 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$74,588 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Virginia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 293 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $99,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. More information about a degree in registered nursing from George Mason University

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 265 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University 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. Get the full registered nursing details for James Madison University

3
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 48 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,013 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,910 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Mary Washington

4

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 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 233 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. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 201 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University

6

Randolph Macon College placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. Randolph Macon College awarded about 26 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $40,317 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,432 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Randolph Macon College

7

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 121 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $72,905. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Northern Virginia Community College

8

Old Dominion University came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 224 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $124,750 early in their careers. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Old Dominion University

9
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $92,849 early in their careers. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $29,166 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Marymount University

10
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. About 28% of students finish within six years. Ecpi University awarded about 1,178 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $83,705 early in their careers. Ecpi University graduates carry a median of $32,285 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Ecpi University

11
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. There were roughly 196 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Germanna Community College 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. Read more about the registered nursing program at Germanna Community College

12
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winchester. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 98 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data 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
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 295 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $85,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Radford University

14
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Lynchburg College awarded about 39 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,159 in their early career. Read more about the registered nursing program at Lynchburg College

15
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $69,962 early in their careers. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $26,598 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Longwood University

16

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Vienna, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a small private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia graduates 100% of students within six years. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia awarded about 144 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,188 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146. See the full registered nursing program report for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia

17

Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. About 64 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lord Fairfax Community College earn around $69,986 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,450 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Lord Fairfax Community College

18

John Tyler Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 112 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $63,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from John Tyler Community College

19

Central Virginia Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 170 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Central Virginia Community College 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. See the full registered nursing program report for Central Virginia Community College

20

Emory And Henry College earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Emory. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 14 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Emory And Henry College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Emory And Henry College earn around $47,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Emory And Henry College

21
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #21 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 253 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. Students borrow a median of $27,457 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Liberty University

22

Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned the #22 position for registered 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. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach awarded about 222 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $37,278. Get the full registered nursing details for Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach

23

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 77 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave 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. Read more about the registered nursing program at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

24

Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Abingdon. Virginia Highlands Community College awarded about 75 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Virginia Highlands Community College

25

The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 44 registered nursing degrees were awarded at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $72,911. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for The University Of Virginias College At Wise

Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:

26
27
28
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA
29
30
31
32
33
34
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 57 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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