Top Nursing Schools in Virginia
This page lists 67 schools in Virginia that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 28 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 32 associate degree (ADN), 34 bachelor's (BSN), 18 master's and 5 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 35 public, 20 private nonprofit and 12 private for-profit. 48 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Richmond (6), Virginia Beach (5), Lynchburg (4) and Norfolk (4).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (67)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | Private for-profit | ADN | — |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | BSN, MSN, Grad Cert-PMHNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | Private nonprofit | BSN, PhD | CCNE |
| Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing | Richmond, VA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | Public | BSN, MSN, PhD | CCNE |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-Leadership, Grad Cert, Grad Cert-PMHNP, PhD, PhD-PMHNP | CCNE |
| Longwood University | Farmville, VA | Public | BSN | CCNE |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton, VA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Marymount University | Arlington, VA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, Post-Master's-FNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Medical Solutions Academy | Danville, VA | Private for-profit | CNA, LPN/LVN | — |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN (candidate) |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | Public | BSN | ACEN |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | Public | BSN, MSN, Grad Cert-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, RN Diploma, ADN | ACEN |
Before you apply in Virginia
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Virginia. See online coursework and clinical requirements.