Best RN Programs in Virginia for 2026

The UVA School of Nursing offers four distinct BSN pathways: the traditional four-year BSN for high school applicants who apply directly to the School of Nursing, a two-year Accelerated BSN Transfer (ABSN) for students who have completed two years of college coursework, a three-year BSN Transfer for internal and external transfer students, and a hybrid RN-to-BSN for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma. The traditional BSN is a 120-credit, four-year program covering anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and leadership, with clinical rotations beginning in the second semester of the second year across five specialty areas: medical-surgical, community health, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and psychiatric-mental health. All students use a 10,000-square-foot Clinical Simulation Learning Center and have the opportunity to participate in global education programs in Spain, Australia, Honduras, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

UVA holds a Hakia Score of 96.4, the highest among Virginia BSN programs in this ranking, backed by a 96% graduation rate and a 17% admit rate. In-state tuition is $19,472; out-of-state tuition rises to $57,261, a meaningful cost gap that makes residency status a key decision factor. This program fits high-achieving students who want research exposure, international clinical options, and a direct-admission pathway from high school into a nationally recognized nursing school. The ABSN track offers a faster, lower-cost alternative for career-changers who already hold substantial college credits. BLS OEWS data places the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

James Madison University offers a traditional BSN pathway through its School of Nursing in the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and fully approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing. Students gain clinical decision-making skills across classroom, skills laboratory, practicum, and simulation settings. Each cohort enrolls 113 students, and the faculty-to-student ratio stays below 1:10. Every student is assigned a faculty adviser for program planning and career exploration. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

JMU's Hakia Score is 90.7, the second highest among Virginia programs in this ranking. The 80% graduation rate reflects a broad incoming class: the admit rate is 72%, meaning the program is accessible to most applicants who meet JMU's prerequisites. In-state tuition of $8,150 is among the lowest in Virginia for a CCNE-accredited BSN, making JMU a strong value pick for Virginia residents. Out-of-state tuition climbs to $25,496, which is still competitive against many private programs. The program fits students who want faculty access and mentorship at a mid-size public university without the high selectivity bar of UVA. The national median RN wage is $97,550 per year regardless of school attended.

Riverside College of Health Sciences in Newport News is a small private nonprofit with just 350 enrolled students, and its Professional Nursing program offers more pathway options than most programs its size. Tracks include a traditional BSN (3.5 years, $50,825 total, no prerequisites required), an Accelerated Transfer BSN (2.5 years, $37,325, for students with prior college credits), an LPN-to-RN Advanced Placement option (3-4 semesters, $21,200-$31,050), an RN-to-BSN bridge (1-2 years, fully online, $11,300), and an AAS evening/weekend option for students who need schedule flexibility. The BSN curriculum integrates theoretical instruction with laboratory simulation and clinical experience at Riverside's affiliated medical center and partner sites. Graduates of both the AAS and BSN tracks are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

The numbers that define Riverside are stark: 100% graduation rate and a 13% admit rate produce a Hakia Score of 88.6 despite the small enrollment. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students at this private institution, with the traditional BSN totaling $50,825 over the program's duration. That is a higher sticker price than the public programs in this ranking, but the accelerated and bridge tracks offer substantially lower total costs for students who qualify. Riverside fits career-changers, LPNs seeking advancement, and working adults who need evening or online scheduling, alongside traditional students who want a high-completion, career-focused program in a hospital-integrated setting.

George Mason University's School of Nursing offers five distinct BSN pathways in Fairfax. The Direct Entry BSN introduces nursing coursework in the freshman year for traditional students. A Transfer Direct Entry track is for current Mason students and transfers who complete prerequisites before entering nursing courses around their sophomore year. A 12-month full-time Accelerated Second Degree BSN is available to students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and have completed nursing prerequisites. A Co-enrollment pathway allows military veterans and students in partner community college AAS nursing programs to complete a BSN online while concurrently enrolled. Finally, the fully online RN-to-BSN can be completed in as little as two full-time semesters on a seven-week course format. All non-RN-to-BSN tracks include structured NCLEX preparation, practice exams, and a final critical thinking course in the senior year.

George Mason has a Hakia Score of 84.1 and a 68% graduation rate, reflecting a highly open admit rate of 87% at a university of nearly 40,000 students. In-state tuition is $10,392; out-of-state is $34,860. The tradeoff is clear: Mason trades selectivity and completion rate for access, affordability for Virginia residents, and program variety that few schools match. It is the right fit for working adults, career-changers, and RNs seeking a flexible online BSN completion, especially those in the Northern Virginia metro area who benefit from proximity to a wide range of clinical sites. The national median RN salary stands at $97,550 per year.

The University of Mary Washington offers a single undergraduate nursing track: a fully online BSN completion program built exclusively for licensed registered nurses who already hold an associate degree or hospital diploma. The program awards 41 transfer credits for prior RN licensure, accepts up to 90 total transfer credits, and requires just 30 credits completed at UMW. Courses run in eight-week blocks, so full-time students can finish in one year; part-time students set their own pace. The curriculum blends UMW's liberal arts tradition with the AACN Baccalaureate Essentials, covering clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, informatics, and interprofessional teamwork.

UMW posts an 80% admit rate, which reflects its role as an open-access completion pathway rather than a selective entry-level BSN. The graduation rate sits at 66%, and the Hakia Score of 81.9 places it fifth among Virginia's ranked RN programs. In-state tuition runs $9,117, making it one of the most affordable public options in the state; out-of-state students pay $22,295. This program suits RNs who want a low-cost, flexible path to a BSN without leaving the workforce.

Suggested application deadlines are April 1 for fall, October 15 for spring, and March 1 for summer. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, though exceptions with additional documentation are considered. UMW faculty and experienced nursing leaders provide personalized mentorship throughout the online program.

Regent University offers an RN-to-BSN completion program delivered entirely online through eight-week sessions, with the next cohort starting August 24, 2026. The program totals 120 credit hours and is designed for licensed registered nurses who want to build on existing clinical expertise. Coursework is taught from a Christian worldview and covers nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, community and public health, and a professional nursing capstone project. The program page states it is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Regent carries a 38% admit rate, the most selective among these four programs, and a 57% graduation rate. Tuition is $19,950 and applies equally to all students regardless of state, so there is no in-state advantage. The Hakia Score of 81.6 ranks the program sixth in Virginia. Regent reports that its programs have ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia for 14 consecutive years (2013-2026) according to U.S. News and World Report, though that ranking originates with the publication, not with this profile. The flat, single tuition rate and selective admissions make this a fit for nurses who want a structured, accredited online program and can meet competitive entry standards.

Students check in two weeks before each session start date. The school offers multiple session start dates per year, giving nurses flexibility in when they begin. Faculty are based in Virginia Beach and hold terminal degrees in their fields.

Shenandoah University's Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing runs three undergraduate BSN tracks on its Winchester campus, with select offerings at a Loudoun location as well. The Traditional Four-Year track is for first-year students and begins nursing coursework in the sophomore year (fall entry only, Winchester). The Transfer track accommodates students who arrive with existing college credits and can be completed in five academic semesters. The Accelerated Second Degree-BSN track is 15 months long and targets students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field; because of program intensity, Shenandoah strongly recommends against working while enrolled. The accelerated track is available in Winchester (fall entry) and Loudoun (fall and spring entry).

Shenandoah posts a 77% admit rate and a 67% graduation rate. Tuition is $35,460 regardless of residency. The Hakia Score of 81.1 places the program seventh in Virginia. The three-track structure means the program serves a wide range of students, from traditional freshmen to career changers with prior degrees, but the private tuition rate is the highest among these four programs. Students who want campus-based instruction in the Shenandoah Valley and the option to accelerate have few equivalent alternatives in the region.

Technology is integrated across the curriculum, and all undergraduate nursing students participate in the university's computer technology program. The school operates out of the Pruitt Health and Life Sciences Building in Winchester and a satellite location in Leesburg.

The University of Lynchburg offers a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing grounded in evidence-based coursework and hands-on clinical training. The program is CCNE-accredited and holds full approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing. Students train in an on-campus simulation lab and complete more than 100 practice hours in a chosen specialty during their final semester. Clinical placements span hospital, community, and specialty settings including emergency, pediatrics, mental health, and more. Class sizes are intentionally small, which the program emphasizes as a differentiator for student engagement.

Lynchburg's NCLEX pass rates, published on the program page, tell a clear story: 92.31% in 2025, 94.87% in 2024, and 82.35% in 2023. That 2025 figure is the only documented NCLEX rate among these four programs and provides a concrete measure of licensure readiness. The program carries a 43% admit rate, the second most selective in this group, and a 57% graduation rate. Tuition is $36,750 with no in-state discount. The Hakia Score of 79.1 ranks it eighth in Virginia. The cost is high relative to public alternatives, but the NCLEX outcomes and small cohort model justify serious consideration for students who prioritize documented licensure success over price.

Registered nurses work across hospitals, schools, home health, corrections, military, and specialty practices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 194,500 annual openings for RNs over the next decade nationally, and the national median wage for registered nurses is tracked through BLS OEWS data.

Chamberlain University's BSN program at its Vienna, Virginia location is part of a national campus-and-hybrid network covering 20+ sites. The program blends in-person and online coursework with in-person and virtual lab experiences, and clinical placements are coordinated through a network of 900+ partner healthcare facilities. Chamberlain reports being the No. 1 institution in BSN enrollments in the U.S., and the program is accredited by CCNE. Delivery options include a campus/hybrid track with weekday and evening classes, and a fully online track for students who need schedule flexibility. High school graduates who qualify for the High School to Healthcare program can save up to $31,201 in tuition. LPN and LVN applicants may enter with proficiency credits at select campuses. Admission uses a holistic review of GPA, HESI A2 (or ACT/SAT/TEAS), and prior coursework, with no application fee.

The Vienna enrollment of 557 students reflects a focused campus community. Chamberlain's admit rate is 90%, meaning the program is accessible but not open enrollment; the HESI A2 entrance assessment is a real threshold. The 100% graduation rate is the strongest outcome figure in this ranking and anchors the Hakia Score of 78.5. Tuition is $20,580 regardless of state residency, which removes the in-state/out-of-state variable but places it above Virginia's public options. For a student who values coordinated clinicals, a nationally standardized curriculum, and a structured path to finishing in 3 years, Chamberlain trades higher sticker cost for logistical simplicity. BLS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

Accreditation is confirmed by CCNE. Students considering transfer should note that Chamberlain has a formal credit evaluation process and accepts transfer credits, which can reduce time to degree. Prospective applicants should confirm their specific campus offerings and clinical placement geography before enrolling, as program details can vary by location.

VCU's School of Nursing offers two distinct pathways to a B.S. in Nursing. The traditional B.S. prepares students for general practice across acute care, community-based, and other settings serving diverse populations. The RN-to-BSN pathway is designed for working nurses who want to build leadership capacity and expand clinical expertise without starting over. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and care across the lifespan. Online delivery options are available, giving RN-to-BSN students in particular the flexibility to continue working while completing the degree. VCU is a large public research university with 28,464 students enrolled institution-wide, which means nursing students have access to a broad academic infrastructure while operating within a dedicated School of Nursing.

The numbers tell a mixed but honest story. In-state tuition is $13,200, making VCU one of the more affordable four-year BSN paths in Virginia for residents. Out-of-state students pay $35,674, a gap large enough to be a deciding factor. The admit rate is 93%, indicating the program is broadly accessible at the point of application. The graduation rate of 63% is the most significant caution flag: roughly one in three students who start do not finish, which is worth investigating directly with the school before committing. The Hakia Score of 77.3 reflects the balance of these factors. BLS OEWS data shows registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 annually, applicable to graduates of any accredited program.

VCU's program fits two distinct profiles: Virginia residents who want a public-university BSN at in-state rates, and working RNs in the region seeking a structured RN-to-BSN completion path with online flexibility. Students who prioritize completion rate and want a tighter cohort environment should weigh the 63% graduation rate against the cost savings and factor in questions about what drives attrition before enrolling.