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Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Wyoming

With its beautiful national parks and natural wonders, Wyoming is a state full of unique sights. From hot springs to towering rock formations, and Old West history with modern amenities, the Equality State is a popular choice for many adventurers. Wyoming also offers enticing opportunities for those pursuing a higher education, especially in nursing. As a nursing student seeking professional development, this beautiful state with its top colleges is a great choice.  

Though you may still be deciding which nursing program is right for your career goals, Wyoming’s nursing school offers a variety of options such as online courses, bridge programs, and accelerated learning. You can even pursue a nursing career in Wyoming after graduation, to further enjoy the state’s natural beauty and its competitive salaries and benefits. 

In this blog, we’ll be discussing Wyoming’s top nursing school, and what you need to know to decide how to start your journey.

Wyoming’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Wyoming

1. University of Wyoming – Score 100

NCLEX Pass Rate: 80.95%

In-state tuition: $4,800.00

Out-of-State tuition: $19,950.00

The University of Wyoming was founded in 1886, and the campus is surrounded by the rugged Rocky Mountains. This institution is nationally recognized as a land-grant research facility, and it has over 12,000 students enrolled each year. 

The nursing school was founded in 1951, and over the years it has grown into the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. With their Student Nurses Association and many nursing scholarships, the University of Wyoming provides numerous helpful resources for their nursing students and alumni. Their focus on advancements in healthcare, especially in rural areas, has brought many students from around the world to this university. The graduation rate is 60%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

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How to choose the right nursing program

While there are many nursing degree options to choose from, it’s important to find the right university for your career goals. Making your selection will involve considering the location, tuition costs, NCLEX exam and graduation rates, and the programs they can offer you.

Location

Since Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the country, finding a school with the right location will be crucial. As a nursing student, you want to make sure the commute is reasonable, especially from campus to your nursing labs and clinicals. Do they offer online courses that can save your travel time? Consider every option to make your college experience easier.

Tuition

When attending college, it’s vital to stay on top of your finances. In-state tuition can be a smart financial choice, if you’re a Wyoming resident. Student debt weighs heavily on many, but there are affordable options to consider such as scholarships and grants, and FAFSA’s student loans. You may even be eligible for loan forgiveness programs once you graduate, since you’ll be working in healthcare. 

NCLEX pass rate

A university’s NCLEX pass rate is another statistic to research before applying. Nursing students will need to take and pass the NCLEX in order to become licensed, so this data will help to determine a university’s credibility. Good pass rates typically demonstrate a level of care for students’ success, along with any extra exam preparation they may offer.

Programs offered

Knowing which school you want to attend is largely dependent on what your career aspirations are. As a nursing student, you want to be certain that the right programs will be offered for your degree, especially if you’re transferring from another school or pursuing an advanced degree. Make sure your credits will carry over so that you can graduate successfully, with all the right courses and skills you need for your future job.

Graduation rate 

A school’s graduation rate is the percentage of students who complete their degree within 4-6 years. This is a great way to measure a school’s track record, since it can solidify their status and success rates. High graduation rates are something to look for while finding the right institution for you.

Next steps

When making the decision on where to pursue your education, it’s most important to determine which factors mean the most to you. Financial costs, location, and future job prospects are something to think about, especially in Wyoming. The school above is the state’s top choice, but you should research nearby universities to see what they can offer as well.

Once you’ve graduated, you want to think of your next steps. Finding a job with your new degree is key, and Incredible Health has helpful resources to get your nursing career kickstarted. Do you have the right licensing and certifications for Wyoming? This is important to know, especially if you’re coming from out-of-state. 

After graduation, continue your learning and skill-building with Wyoming’s free CEU courses. These courses will help to provide you with the right certifications and tools to succeed in nursing.

You can also turn to other healthcare professionals for advice, helpful tips, and other answers about nursing in Wyoming.

Once you start looking for a job, come to us here at Incredible Health. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University webpages
• (State) Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings 

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools New Jersey

There are a lot of things to love about New Jersey, and a lot of reasons for nurses to choose the state as their educational home. Ranked the top state in the nation for education and fourth best in the nation for healthcare by U.S. News & World Report, the Garden State also boasts a quality of life that 45% of survey participants rank as excellent. 

With plenty of small towns and big cities and a mixture of urban and rural areas, residents can choose from a variety of lifestyles. New Jersey is family friendly, with world-famous beaches, expansive parks, woods, mountains, and valleys. The state offers close proximity to both Philadelphia and New York and its transportation hubs provide easy access to points across the country and the world. 

Nurses considering working in New Jersey enjoy salaries that are well above the national average and have their pick of some of the best hospitals in the country.

New Jersey’s top nursing programs:

1. The College of New Jersey
2. Seton Hall University
3. Rutgers University – New Brunswick
4. William Paterson University of New Jersey
5. Thomas Edison State University
6. Rutgers University – Camden
7. Fairleigh Dickinson University
8. Rowan University
9. Felician University
10. Bloomfield College

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1. The College of New Jersey – Score 68

NCLEX Pass Rate – 94.55%

Annual In-State Tuition: $17,307

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $22,748.06

The nursing program at The College of New Jersey offers both BSN and MSN programs. Working registered nurses seeking a bachelor’s degree can benefit from the online RN-to-BSN program, while students graduating from the school’s traditional BSN degree program have an 85% graduation rate and are aggressively recruited by local New Jersey hospitals: in the past few years, 100% of the program’s graduates have been employed within six months of graduation. 

Graduate students have multiple MSN options, including Nurse Practitioner programs with specializations in Family, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and Neonatal Care. MSN-level Clinical Nurse Leader and School Nurse programs are also available, as well as a post-baccalaureate Nurse Educator certificate and several post-master’s certificates. TCNJ also offers a unique MSN program for RNs with non-nursing undergraduate degrees.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN

2. Seton Hall University – Score 66

NCLEX Pass Rate – 92.86%

Annual Tuition: $46,380        

Ranked the #66 Best MSN program and the #91 Best DNP program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the College of Nursing at Seton Hall University educates both graduate level nurses and baccalaureate prepared nurses. The school features an Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus that houses the College of Nursing and the School of Health and Medical Sciences, as well as the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, bringing together future doctors, nurses, and health professionals and preparing them for team-based healthcare delivery. 

The BSN program, which has a graduation rate of 70%, was established in 1937 and was New Jersey’s first. Seton Hall also offers an accelerated BSN that can be completed at two locations and takes 14 months to complete. The online graduate program offers nurse practitioner specializations in Adult-Gerontology Primary/Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health, as well as a degree in Nursing Administration and Nurse Executive Leadership and a unique RN-to-MSN bridge program.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• MSN
• RN-MSN (Online)
• DNP (Online)
• PhD

3. Rutgers University – New Brunswick – Score 61

NCLEX Pass Rate – 91.49%

Annual In-State Tuition: $12,536 

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $29,737

The Rutgers School of Nursing has been nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report: The publication ranked the bachelor’s degree programs as #31 out of 694 in the country, the DNP program as #15 out of 158 that were rated, and the MSN program at #18 out of 636 programs rated, placing it at the top 2.8 percent of Master’s programs in the country. 

The school has also been recognized among the Best Schools for Men in Nursing by the American Association for Men in Nursing and has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. The traditional BSN undergraduate program has a graduation rate of 81% and is one of four routes to a BSN. The school also offers a 14-month full-time Accelerated BSN, an online RN-to-BSN that can be completed in four semesters, and a unique 2+2 BS in Nursing program that allows students to take the first two years of the program at the Community College of Camden and the last two years earning a BSN at Rutgers. 

MSN programs are offered in a hybrid format in Nursing Informatics and Nursing Leadership, and DNP tracks are clinically oriented and lead to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certifications in 12 specialty areas.

CCNE-accredited program offered:

• BSN
• 2+2 BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

4. William Paterson University of New Jersey – Score 59

NCLEX Pass Rate – 86.87%

Annual In-State Tuition: $14,192

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $23,192

William Paterson University’s Department of Nursing offers an expansive list of options for those interested in a career in nursing. Its undergraduate offerings include a 100% online RN-BSN as well as an accelerated BSN and a traditional 4-year BSN with the opportunity to participate in a supplemental Nursing Honors program with a focus on research. 

The MSN program offers preparation and education for BSN-degreed nurses to become advanced practice nurses (adult or family nurse practitioners), educators or administrators, while the hybrid BSN-to-DNP program provides a path to seamlessly obtain both an MSN and DNP degree. There is also a DNP program that prepares advanced practice nurses to be clinical scholars and thought leaders. The school has a 61% graduation rate and boasts that 87% of its alumni are employed or in graduate school six months after graduation.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)
• Accelerated BSN
• BSN
• MSN
• BSN-DNP
• DNP

5. Thomas Edison State University – Score 59

NCLEX Pass Rate – 85.37%

Annual In-State Tuition: $12,330

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $16,050

The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions offers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing. With the exception of the campus-based Accelerated BSN program, all other degrees are offered fully online. 

In recognition of the school’s popularity with students who have more than twenty years of nursing experience, the administration offers a unique, personalized nurse-to-nurse advising program called Nurses Serving Nursing which helps students create degree completion plans, prepare to take online nursing courses, identify credit-by-exam programs to meet general education requirements, and more. 

In addition to the Accelerated BSN, for which the school also offers a pre-nursing AAS in Applied Health Studies to help students complete prerequisites, the School of Nursing also offers RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN programs, as well as MS in Nursing programs and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• Pre-Nursing AAS I Applied Health Studies (Online)
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN/MSN (Online)
• MSN (Online)
• DNP (Online)

6. Rutgers University – Camden – Score 58

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A 

Annual In-State Tuition: $12,230

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $28,466

The Rutgers School of Nursing in Camden incorporates engaged civic learning into each of its nursing programs, equipping its students with the ability to recognize and react to complex social problems. Students are involved in outreach opportunities within the city of Camden and partner with the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine to deliver services to the local geriatric community. 

The school’s academic programs include a traditional four-year BSN as well as an Accelerated BSN program that can be completed within 15 months. They also offer an RN-to-BSN program that can be completed as a hybrid program or fully online and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program offering two different Nurse Practitioner tracks through online and live classes. Nurse Educator Courses, a School Nurse Specialty Program, and a Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Certification round out the offerings. 

The school also offers the unique Veterans Serving Veterans Nursing Fellowship Program designed to recruit and train veteran nursing students on the care of veterans in community-based primary care.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN (Hybrid or Online)
• DNP (Hybrid)

7. Fairleigh Dickinson University – Score 55

NCLEX Pass Rate – 92.65%

Annual Tuition: $33,264

U.S. News & World Report ranks the Henry P. Becton School of Nursing and Allied Health #99 in Best Nursing Schools for the  Master’s program (tie) and #120 out of 158 in Best Nursing Schools for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The BSN program was also honored as one of the top in the nation, and according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the school’s Family Nurse Practitioner program is #6 nationally based on median-post-graduate salary data.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN
• RN-MSN
• MSN (Online or In-Person)
• DNP

8. Rowan University – Score 46

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A 

Annual In-State Tuition: $14,951

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $24,344

Rowan University’s nursing program is designed for college students, working adults, and lifelong learners. The school offers an RN-to-BSN program that is fully online and designed to minimize disruption of personal and professional responsibilities. It is offered through the school’s Global Learning and Partnerships division, and includes the choice of six graduate credits that can be applied to the pursuit of an MSN degree. 

The school also offers three different pathways to an MSN: Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, and Nurse Practitioner with specializations in Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The MSN program at Rowan was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best in the country, and is available part-time in a hybrid format that combines fully online courses with face-to-face classes and clinical experiences.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)
• MSN

9. Felician University – Score 43

NCLEX Pass Rate – 81.15%

Annual Tuition: $33,200

The School of Nursing at Felician University provides nurse education opportunities to match a wide range of experience levels, goals, and needs. The undergraduate programs include a traditional four-year BSN program as well as an accelerated BSN that can be completed in either 16 months in a hybrid format or  18 months in an in-person format. 

There is also a unique 5-year “Preparing for Career in Nursing” program designed to raise the level of proficiency and readiness of high school graduates whose academic abilities need to be strengthened in order to meet the nursing program’s eligibility requirements. 

There is both a fully online RN-to-BSN fast track program that can be completed in 15 months and an online RN-to-MSN that can be completed in between 29 and 45 months, depending upon the track chosen. Felician’s online graduate nursing program has been recognized as among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and offers hybrid MSN Nurse Practitioner pathways, Post Master’s Certifications, and an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program that provides all students with the latest generation iPad.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)
• RN-MSN (Online)
• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• MSN (Online)
• DNP

10. Bloomfield College – Score 35

NCLEX Pass Rate – 86.67%

Annual Tuition: $30,680

Among its other distinctions, Bloomfield College is the only New Jersey institution to be recognized as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and Hispanic Serving Institution. It is also a Minority serving institution at which more than half of students identify as being both first generation and first in their families to enroll in college. 

In 2021 U.S. News & World Report ranked it highest in New Jersey in social mobility. The school offers both a traditional four-year BSN program and an accelerated RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in 15-18 months by attending classes and finishing online assignments once a week. It is offered in a hybrid format.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Hybrid)
• BSN

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How to choose the right nursing program

When your goal is a career in nursing, the right nursing program can make all the difference. Every student has their own priorities and needs, so the program that’s best for someone else may not be the right fit for you. 

When weighing your options, it’s a good idea to make a list of what’s most important. Do you need to be able to continue working while you’re studying, or would you prefer a full-time, on campus experience? Do you want to continue living at home and  take classes online or will you commute to school? These questions and others pertaining to price, school reputation, and other tangible and intangible factors should all be included in your considerations.

Location

The nursing schools in New Jersey are located in every corner of the state and in settings ranging from rural to inner city, so choosing the right location is both a matter of personal preference and convenience. Some of the schools listed above offer online programs that can be taken from anywhere on the globe, while others require that you live and study on campus.

Tuition

Your nursing degree promises a reliable, generous salary for the future, but paying for education can be a challenge. When choosing the best school for you it’s a good idea to keep cost in mind, but you should also take the time to investigate the opportunities for financial aid, scholarships, grants, and personal loans. With a bit of planning you may be able to attend the college of your dreams without saddling yourself with long-term student debt.

NCLEX pass rate

Every nursing school operates with the hope of providing its students with a high-quality education that prepares them for the challenges of their chosen career. One measure of a program’s success is the NCLEX pass rate achieved by graduates. Though there are many variables that can impact whether all students do well on this national test, a high pass rate is a strong indication that a school takes preparation of its students seriously.

Programs offered

The New Jersey nursing schools included on this list offer a broad array of programs and delivery formats. Before you choose a school based on its location or campus setting, double check to make sure that it offers the degree program that you’re looking for.

Graduation rate 

Graduation rate is a measure of how many four-year undergraduate students that enter a college as freshman complete and attain a degree within six years of their entry. Though this can be a useful statistic, its application is limited to traditional BSN programs, and the metric does not include students who transfer in from other programs.

Next steps

Once you’ve reviewed New Jersey’s top nursing school options and dug a bit deeper into each, it will be time to move forward with your application. There are plenty of ways to approach the process, but it helps to be as organized as possible, making a list of needed documents and deadlines by which all materials need to be submitted. And remember, it’s never too early to start investigating financial aid or asking mentors to prepare letters of recommendation. 

One of the best parts of attending nursing school in New Jersey is the immediate connection to the state’s remarkable hospitals. You’ll be at the top of the list for career opportunities, so make sure that you’re up to date on the state’s licensing and continuing education requirements. If you can’t find the information you need, don’t hesitate to ask the Incredible Health community: We have plenty of New Jersey professionals who are eager to answer any questions you may have.

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• The College of New Jersey
• Seton Hall University
• Rutgers University – New Brunswick
• William Paterson University of New Jersey
• Thomas Edison State University
• Rutgers University – Camden
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Rowan University
• Felician University
• Bloomfield College
• New Jersey Board of Nursing
• Federal Student Aid
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Virginia

The slogan says, “Virginia is for lovers,” but the state has something for everybody. From its rich history to its easy access to the nation’s capital, and from the white sand of Virginia Beach to the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are plenty of reasons why Virginia is a great place to live. 

U.S. News & World Report ranks Virginia #7 in its list of best states and Forbes ranked in #1 for quality of life, and though the state’s cost of living is higher than the national average, it provides its residents with remarkable services, infrastructure and opportunity. 

When it comes to healthcare, Virginia is home to some of the country’s top hospitals, offering carrer prospects for students entering any of the state’s many nursing schools.

 Virginia’s top nursing programs:

1. Virginia Commonwealth University
2. University of Virginia
3. James Madison University
4. Radford University
5. George Mason University
6. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
7. Shenandoah University
8. Old Dominion University
9. University of Mary Washington
10. Marymount University

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1. Virginia Commonwealth University – Score 68

  

NCLEX Pass Rate – 97.40%

Annual In-State Tuition: $15,642

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $37,588

Both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at Virginia Commonwealth University have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for their academic excellence. The school has a 68% graduation rate, and offers a unique Co-Enrollment program with local community colleges that includes eligibility for a scholarship that covers the entire cost of all four co-enrollment courses. 

The MSN program and the DNP program offer clinical and nursing leader options, and students have the opportunity to collaborate with the Langston Center for Innovation in Quality and Safety to develop patient-centered, population-focused and cost-effective initiatives designed to improve health care.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD (Online)

2. University of Virginia – Score 66

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.10%

Annual In-State Tuition: $17,048

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $53,680

Offering nursing programs that are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, the School of Nursing at University of Virginia offers comprehensive educational opportunities for nurses at all levels. 

Beyond the traditional four-year BSN, which has achieved a 94% graduation rate, UVA offers a two-year, part-time RN-to-BSN program, seven MSN tracks, two doctoral programs, and opportunities to pursue global health studies in New Zealand, Australia, and Honduras. The school offered $3.4 million in scholarships and financial aid in the academic year 2020-2021.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• RN-MSN (Hybrid online)
• DNP (Online)
• PhD (Online)

3. James Madison University – Score 64

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.90%

Annual In-State Tuition: $13,092    

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $30,152

James Madison University’s School of Nursing has been recognized numerous times by U.S. News & World Report, including being ranked as the #110 top MSN program, the #118 top DNP program, and for offering the #99 top online graduate nursing programs. 

The school prides itself on its students’ civic, community, and global engagement, partnering with other disciplines within the university on issues of finding practical health policy solutions and offering study abroad opportunities to prepare nurses for engaging with diverse populations. Some MSN concentrations are offered in person and others are entirely online, and all are offered both full-time and part-time, and the DNP program is available to both BSN-degreed and MSN-degreed nurses. The school has achieved an 83% graduation rate.

CCNE-accredited program offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN
• DNP

4. Radford University – Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate – 97.90%

Annual In-State Tuition: $8,156

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $20,246

Radford University’s top-rated nursing programs are offered at both its main campus in Radford, Virginia and at its Roanoke location, and its RN-to-BSN program and many graduate programs are offered online as well. 

The school offers both pre-nursing advising and a dedicated advisor for upper division nursing students, and Radford’s Clinical Simulation Center aspires to be a premier, innovative and student-centered simulation program. The online RN-to-BSN program can be completed in as few as ten months and has six start dates each year, while the graduate nursing program offers multiple specialty tracks, including both MSN and DNP Family Nurse Practitioner degrees, an MSN and a DNP in leadership, and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN
• DNP 

5. George Mason University – Score 56

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 81.90%

Annual In-State Tuition: $9,796

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $33,960

George Mason University’s nationally ranked school of nursing offers traditional nursing programs as well as accelerated and online programs to accommodate all types of student backgrounds and needs. Nursing students are introduced to innovative practice models including the use of telemedicine and informatics, and have the opportunity to practice hands-on medicine while serving the diverse health needs of the local community, as well as through global outreach. 

The school offers programs that are specially designed to help veterans to complete their BSN degree, including a co-enrollment program that provides both mentoring and the ability to complete all Mason BSN nursing courses online while concurrently enrolled in AAS nursing courses at partner community colleges.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• Co-enrollment BSN (Veteran and non-veteran)
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

6. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing – Score 55 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.60%

Annual Tuition: $12,600

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing has a long and remarkable history dating back to 1881 when three Sisters of Bon Secours came to the U.S. from France to care for the sick. In 1919 they opened the first U.S. hospital in Baltimore and in 1921 established a school of nursing. Today the school carries on the tradition, focusing on caring for those in vulnerable populations and caring for patients within the context of their communities. The school has a 97% retention rate and 78% graduation rate, as well as 96% job placement for graduates.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)

7. Shenandoah University – Score 52

NCLEX Pass Rate – 96.70%

Annual Tuition: $33,790

The Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing offers direct admittance to its BSN degree program, allowing students to begin taking nursing classes earlier in their education than is true of other traditional BSN curricula. The school assigns a nursing faculty advisor immediately upon the student’s entry to the university to provide support and ensure success, and that approach has led to a 63% graduation rate. 

In addition to offering multiple paths to a BSN degree, the school has robust nursing graduate programs that are available both online and in-person and a nurse-midwifery program.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• RN-MSN
• MSN (Online or In-Person)
• BSN-DNP

8. Old Dominion University – Score 44

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.0%

Annual In-State Tuition: $11,220

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $31,170

Old Dominion University’s School of Nursing is one of five professional schools within the College of Health Sciences. It has received a 97.5% overall satisfaction rate from graduates across all of its programs. This statistic reflects the school’s strong educational programs, its nationally-ranked use of distance learning technologies for its RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing programs, and its partnership with the Eastern Virginia Medical School/Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning which allows nursing students at all levels to interact directly with standardized patients. 

All graduate degree programs are offered online with the exception of the Nurse Anesthesia program. The BSN program is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report and has a 50% graduation rate.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• BSN Concurrent enrollment
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN (Online)
• DNP

9. University of Mary Washington – Score 42

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A

Annual In-State Tuition: $8,938

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $25,858

The University of Mary Washington offers two paths to a BSN degree. The BSN Completion program is an RN-to-BSN degree that allows licensed RNs who hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing to attend either full-time or part-time, choosing face-to-face coursework or an online option. 

The school also offers a unique hybrid dual degree plan in affiliation with Germanna Community College. The program is a 1+2+1 schedule in which the student attends both University of Mary Washington and Germanna during the first three years of their education, and only University of Mary Washington in their final year. Only 15-18 students are selected for this program each year, and students are required to live on the University of Mary Washington campus for at least two of the four years. The school has a 67% graduation rate. 

CCNE-accredited programs offered: 

• BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• DNP

10. Marymount University – Score 41

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.70%

Annual Tuition: $35,950

The Malek School of Nursing Professions at Marymount University offers undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs, including a Master’s degree that is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Reports. 

Nursing students benefit from clinical rotations in the medical facilities serving the nation’s capital, and this proximity is particularly helpful for DNP students who are exploring health care policy and leadership. MSN students can choose either an in-person or online Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track or an online Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track. 

CCNE-accredited programs offered: 

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN (Online)
• RN-to-BSN (Hybrid)
• MSN (Online)
• DNP (Online)

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How to choose the right nursing program

There is no single best nursing program in Virginia: the right nursing program for you is unlikely to be the best choice for somebody else. When making this highly personal decision, there are so many questions you can ask yourself. Do you want to be in a city or in a quieter, suburban setting? Do you want a school that offers online courses? Do you want to study abroad? Narrow your selection by identifying your priorities, including tuition, reputation, NCLEX pass rates, and other elements.

Location 

Virginia stretches from the Atlantic seaboard to the Appalachian Mountains and from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to the historic towns of Williamsburg and Jamestown. The diverse geography and feel of the state means that nursing school candidates have plenty of choices for the type of environment they choose to study in. 

Tuition

There’s an enormous range in the tuition charged by different nursing schools, with the most affordable fees charged by state universities to in-state students. Whether you’re a Virginia resident looking at a school in your own backyard or you’re from somewhere across the country considering a private school, tuition is a big consideration. 

If you’re worried about costs, be sure to apply for financial aid through FAFSA, and investigate the availability of scholarships.

NCLEX pass rate

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the last step between graduation from a nursing program and licensure, and the pass rate achieved by a school’s graduates is often viewed as a statistical benchmark for the quality of its program. When considering a nursing school, check to see whether they publicize their NCLEX-RN passing rates and see how they compare to the national average. 

Programs offered 

It may go without saying, but different nursing schools offer different nursing degrees. No matter how many good things you’ve heard about a particular school and its curriculum, make sure that it is offering the specific degree that is what you need on your path to your career goal.

Graduation rate  

Graduation rate is a measure of how many freshman students who enter  a college graduate within six years. When it comes to nursing school, students come from a wide range of backgrounds, with many pursuing their degrees online and others entering the school already licensed as registered nurses, and simply needing a few more hours of education to earn their BSN. Because these student outcomes aren’t included in graduation rate metrics, students weighing different schools should keep this in mind when considering this statistic.

Next steps

Choosing Virginia for your educational home is cause for excitement, but it’s just the start. Once you’ve chosen your top schools, you need to submit applications, and that means filling out applications, gathering transcripts and personal recommendations, paying fees, and investigating financial aid. The more organized you are, the easier the process will be.

Once you’ve been accepted and start your program, time will fly. In no time you’ll have earned your degree, passed your exams, and be ready to get to work. Every state has its own licensing and continuing education requirements. If you have any questions about what’s needed to be a nurse in Virginia, Incredible Health’s  community of Virginia nurses will be happy to provide you with the answers you need.

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• University of Virginia
• James Madison University
• Radford University
• George Mason University
• Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
• Shenandoah University
• Old Dominion University
• University of Mary Washington
• Germanna Community College
• Marymount University
• Virginia Board of Nursing
• Federal Student Aid
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings