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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | Public | BSN, MSN, Grad Cert-FNP, Grad Cert-PMHNP, PhD, PhD-CRNA | CCNE |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton, VA | Public | RN Diploma, ADN | ACEN |
| Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | Public | BSN | CCNE |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach, VA | Private nonprofit | BSN | — |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, RN Diploma, ADN | ACEN |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | Public | LPN/LVN, 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.