Compare costs, formats, and completion timelines across every accredited Virginia RN-to-BSN program.
Some Virginia RN-to-BSN programs demand nothing more than a laptop and a reliable internet connection. Others, like University of Virginia’s hybrid track, bring students to Charlottesville for monthly in-person sessions. The common denominator: major Virginia health systems, including Magnet-designated hospitals, now strongly prefer baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Across the 20 ranked programs on topnursing.org, net prices range from $9,210 to $33,199, with formats spanning fully online, hybrid, and employer-partnered models. That spread means a working RN can find a path that fits both a schedule and a budget, without taking a career pause.
Virginia’s diverse RN to BSN landscape includes affordable online options, hybrid pathways, and programs tied directly to major health systems. The following rankings weigh net price and financial aid metrics to help working nurses identify the strongest return on their educational investment.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise, VA | $12,000 – $28,000/yr | Rural Virginia RNs seeking affordability | |
UVA Wise offers an affordable online RN to BSN with a net price of $9,210 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 47%. Graduates leave with a median debt of $16,750 and typically earn around $45,325 a decade after enrollment. The program builds on your nursing foundation, preparing you for advanced roles across hospitals and community settings.
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| #2 | Sentara College of Health Sciences | Chesapeake, VA | Sentara-employed nurses advancing online | ||
Sentara College of Health Sciences offers an online RN to BSN closely tied to Sentara Healthcare, a major not-for-profit health system across Virginia. While institution-wide graduation data isn’t reported, the average graduate debt is $19,450 and median earnings reach $77,821 a decade after college entry. Sentara employees may benefit from structured tuition assistance and career pipelines.
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| #3 | Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | $10,000 – $23,000/yr | HBCU students in online nursing | |
Virginia State University, an HBCU, delivers a 100% online RN to BSN completion program with a net price of $15,840. The school reports a 39% institution-wide graduation rate; graduates carry a median debt of $26,500, with typical earnings around $45,543 a decade later. The part-time, asynchronous format is built around 8-week courses, ideal for busy nurses.
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| #4 | Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | $15,000/yr | ||
Norfolk State University, an HBCU with a military-friendly focus, runs an online RN to BSN program that can be finished in 9 to 18 months. The net price sits at $15,282 and the institution’s graduation rate is 38.5%. Median debt for graduates is $29,000, with ten-year median earnings of $44,666.
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| #5 | Riverside College of Health Careers | Newport News, VA | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Riverside College of Health Careers, affiliated with Riverside Health System on the Virginia Peninsula, runs a fully online RN-to-BSN with a net price of $20,744. The college reports a 100% graduation rate, and graduates carry a median debt of just $14,787, with median ten-year earnings of $66,072. Full-time and part-time tracks are available, along with tuition discounts for alumni and health system employees.
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| #6 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | $13,000 – $34,000/yr | ||
Old Dominion University’s online RN to BSN program is a popular transfer destination for Virginia community college graduates, with a net price of $14,638 for in-state students. The university reports a 46% graduation rate, and graduates leave with median debt of $24,000, earning around $54,914 a decade later. ODU awards 33 experiential learning credits for RN experience.
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| #7 | Radford University | Radford, VA | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Radford University’s fully online RN-to-BSN offers a co-enrollment pathway with Virginia community college ADN students and a net price of $14,578. The school’s overall graduation rate is 48.7%, and graduates hold a median debt of $24,000, with ten-year median earnings of $53,739. Courses run in 7-week sessions, and the curriculum includes no on-campus requirements.
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| #8 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $22,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Virginia’s RN to BSN hybrid program combines online coursework with monthly in-person meetings in Charlottesville, Richmond, or Fairfax. The net price is $21,565, and UVA maintains a 95.6% institutional graduation rate. Graduates leave with median debt of $17,500 and typically earn $86,863 a decade after enrollment, with strong financial aid often resulting in zero tuition for many students.
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| #9 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | ~$20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Regent University’s CCNE-accredited online RN to B.S. in Nursing integrates a Christian worldview into a flexible 8-week course format. With a net price of $19,923, Regent reports a 57% graduation rate, median debt of $24,534, and ten-year median earnings of $44,498. The program includes a capstone and 45 practice immersion hours.
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| #10 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (net price) | ||
ECPI University’s accelerated online RN to BSN can be completed in just 12 months, with a net price of $22,965. The institution reports a 42.5% graduation rate, median graduate debt of $20,000, and ten-year median earnings of $42,837. ECPI’s year-round schedule and multiple Virginia campus locations provide added support for working nurses.
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Yes, Virginia offers several fully online RN-to-BSN programs that require no campus visits, though many include a practicum or clinical component completed in your local community. Programs labeled “hybrid” involve some in-person sessions, like monthly classes (University of Virginia) or a blend of online and on-campus coursework (Bluefield University, University of Mary Washington). The table below compares the format, estimated net price, and location for all 20 RN-to-BSN programs in Virginia.
| School | Format | Net Price | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Averett University | Online | $22,925 | Danville |
| Bluefield University | Hybrid | $25,573 | Bluefield |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | Online | N/A | Richmond |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | Online | $33,199 | Vienna |
| ECPI University | Online | $22,965 | Virginia Beach |
| Emory & Henry University | Online | $19,061 | Emory |
| Ferrum College | Online | $20,082 | Ferrum |
| Longwood University | Online | $19,066 | Farmville |
| Mary Baldwin University | Online | $12,756 | Staunton |
| Norfolk State University | Online | $15,282 | Norfolk |
| Old Dominion University | Online | $14,638 | Norfolk |
| Radford University | Online | $14,578 | Radford |
| Regent University | Online | $19,923 | Virginia Beach |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | Online | $20,744 | Newport News |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | Online | N/A | Chesapeake |
| University of Mary Washington | Hybrid | $20,667 | Fredericksburg |
| University of Virginia | Hybrid | $21,565 | Charlottesville |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | Online | $9,210 | Wise |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Online | $23,433 | Richmond |
| Virginia State University | Online | $15,840 | Petersburg |
The most affordable path to a BSN for Virginia RNs is through University of Virginia's College at Wise, which reports an average net price of $9,210 after grants and scholarships. Mary Baldwin University ($12,756) and Radford University ($14,578) round out the top three. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide average, your actual cost will depend on your financial aid package and transfer credits.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | $11,780 | $28,010 | $9,210 |
| Mary Baldwin University | $21,187 | $21,187 | $12,756 |
| Radford University | $12,548 | $25,633 | $14,578 |
| Old Dominion University | $12,750 | $33,780 | $14,638 |
| Norfolk State University | $10,180 | $21,682 | $15,282 |
| Virginia State University | $10,043 | $22,650 | $15,840 |
| Emory & Henry University | $39,000 | $39,000 | $19,061 |
| Longwood University | $15,740 | $27,980 | $19,066 |
| Regent University | $21,650 | $21,650 | $19,923 |
| Ferrum College | $28,380 | $28,380 | $20,082 |
| University of Mary Washington | $14,905 | $28,083 | $20,667 |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | $14,250 | $14,250 | $20,744 |
| University of Virginia | $23,118 | $61,591 | $21,565 |
| Averett University | $38,550 | $38,550 | $22,925 |
| ECPI University | $18,484 | $18,484 | $22,965 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $16,720 | $39,884 | $23,433 |
| Bluefield University | $26,770 | $26,770 | $25,573 |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $21,520 | $21,520 | $33,199 |
A typical RN-to-BSN program in Virginia takes 12 to 24 months, but your actual timeline depends on transfer credits, pace, and whether you choose an accelerated or co-enrollment pathway. Most Virginia nursing programs require 30 to 35 nursing credits beyond the associate degree; full-time students often finish in two semesters, while part-time students may take three or four. The key is mapping your existing credits against the program’s curriculum early.
Virginia’s public universities set their own credit requirements and term structures. For example, Old Dominion University’s online RN-to-BSN program accepts up to 90 transfer credits and requires 30 nursing credits, allowing full-time students to complete in as few as 12 months. George Mason University’s pathway admits RNs to the BSN with 30 upper-division nursing credits and offers both full-time (two semesters) and part-time (four semesters) options. Radford University’s School of Nursing lists a total of 120 credits for the degree, with the RN-to-BSN core at 27, 30 credits, typically finished in three semesters for those taking two courses per term. These examples illustrate that the finish line is often a year to 18 months for a committed full-time student.
Some Virginia schools offer truly compressed formats designed for working nurses. Liberty University’s online RN-to-BSN can be completed in as few as 12 months by taking 8-week courses year-round. Shenandoah University’s accelerated RN-to-BSN track compresses coursework into about 15 months. When exploring accelerated options, search directly on program websites for phrases like “accelerated RN-to-BSN” or “fast-track,” and pay attention to admission cycles: some accelerated cohorts start only once or twice a year. Always confirm the number of clinical and practicum hours embedded in the accelerated schedule, as this may affect your ability to balance work.
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has formal co-enrollment agreements with multiple four-year institutions, allowing ADN students to earn BSN credits concurrently or transition seamlessly after graduation. Old Dominion, George Mason, and Radford all participate in such partnerships. Through a VCCS bridge, students typically apply during their ADN program and begin taking BSN-level courses that count toward both degrees. This can reduce the post-ADN timeline to as little as one semester. Admission to these bridges often requires a nursing license or pending license, a GPA threshold, and advising from both the community college and the university. Eligibility rules vary, so review the partnering university’s nursing admission page and the VCCS transfer website for the most current agreements.
Program lengths and transfer policies change frequently, so use primary sources. Visit the nursing program pages of individual universities for their degree plans and credit-transfer articulation. The Virginia Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) maintain directories that link to accredited programs, helping you quickly compile a list. Contact admissions advisors for a personalized degree completion estimate based on your transcripts. A phone call or a short email with your unofficial transcript attached often yields the most accurate timeline forecast.
Virginia offers a robust selection of RN-to-BSN pathways designed for working nurses. The following key figures summarize what you can expect from these programs.
As demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses grows, Virginia's RN-to-BSN programs have adopted flexible admissions and multiple annual start dates, but prospective students exploring nursing career paths must dig deeper to understand transfer credit policies. Official program websites rarely list the full story on credit maximums and prior learning assessments, making direct outreach a critical step.
Virginia programs share a core set of admission standards, though exact thresholds vary. All require a current, unencumbered RN license, endorsed by the Virginia Board of Nursing if you hold an out-of-state license, and a nursing diploma or associate degree from an accredited institution. Most programs request official transcripts, a completed application, and sometimes a brief personal statement. Here is what to expect across several major schools:
Transfer credit limits are less straightforward. Most public universities in Virginia cap the number of credits accepted from an associate degree at around 90, but how those credits map to BSN courses depends on articulation agreements and institutional policies. - Credit maximums: Old Dominion often awards up to 90 credits for prior nursing and general education coursework, while Radford accepts a similar maximum but may limit upper-division nursing transfer credits. Private institutions like Liberty and ECPI may have more generous limits, sometimes accepting up to 75% of degree requirements. - Prior learning assessment: A few schools, including ECPI and George Mason, offer challenge exams or portfolio review for credit, but these options are rarely advertised. Contacting an admission counselor is the surest way to learn what counts.
Program websites typically list minimum GPAs and license requirements, but the details of rolling admissions, multiple start dates, and credit review processes often reside with admission counselors. For instance, ECPI offers five start dates per year and Liberty has up to six, while public schools like Norfolk State may have just two or three. Transfer credit evaluations are frequently done on a case-by-case basis; an unofficial transcript review can reveal how many credits you will actually receive long before you apply. Additionally, counselors can clarify Virginia Board of Nursing endorsement timelines and any school-specific health or background check requirements that are not published online.
When choosing an RN to BSN program, the number of transfer credits accepted can dramatically change your costs and timeline. A school accepting 90 credits instead of 60 could save you $3,000 to $8,000 in tuition and shorten your degree by at least six months. Make sure you confirm the transfer credit limit for any program on your shortlist.
RN to BSN programs in Virginia are reviewed by two national nursing accreditors: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both ensure that a curriculum meets rigorous standards for faculty qualifications, clinical experiences, and student outcomes. Employers, graduate schools, and certification bodies rely on programmatic accreditation to verify that your degree represents a high-quality education. A BSN from an unaccredited program can block your path to advanced practice, management roles, or specialty certifications, so choosing an accredited program is essential from day one.
Every ranked RN to BSN program on this list holds CCNE accreditation, the most common designation for baccalaureate nursing education in the state. This includes the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, Radford University, and Liberty University. While some Virginia community college and hospital-based programs may carry ACEN accreditation, the major public and private universities offering RN to BSN pathways here have all earned CCNE recognition, which can be especially important if you plan to pursue a graduate degree at a CCNE-preferred institution.
The Virginia Board of Nursing does not require separate state approval for RN to BSN completion programs. Its regulatory oversight focuses on pre-licensure tracks, diploma, associate, and entry-level baccalaureate programs, that prepare students for initial NCLEX-RN eligibility. Because RN to BSN students already hold an active RN license, the board does not review or endorse these degree offerings. This differs from programmatic accreditation: CCNE and ACEN evaluate the curriculum’s academic integrity, while the state board protects public safety by vetting programs that produce new nurses. For RN-to-BSN candidates, national accreditation is the bar that matters.
Virginia has not passed any BSN-in-10 legislation, and state law does not mandate a baccalaureate degree for practice. However, market forces are reshaping expectations. Major health systems with Magnet or Magnet-aspiring status, including Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, and VCU Health, have adopted internal BSN-preference or requirement policies. Inova, for instance, requires new RNs to hold a BSN or commit to earning one within two to five years. Sentara lists a BSN as preferred and makes it mandatory for certain clinical leadership roles, while VCU Health ties its preference to a CCNE-accredited degree. These employer-driven benchmarks make an accredited RN to BSN a strategic investment even in the absence of a legal mandate.
In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro, registered nurses earn a median annual wage between $98,000 and $100,000, with the top 10 percent exceeding $140,000. Those figures, from 2024 data, set a high bar for BSN-level earnings in Virginia’s most competitive healthcare market.
Program-level earnings data for RN-to-BSN completers in Virginia is not yet available from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. However, institution-wide outcomes suggest strong earning power among graduates. For example, Chamberlain University-Virginia reports a median earnings of $92,405 for former students ten years after entry, combined with a median total debt of only $20,919. The University of Virginia shows median earnings of $86,863 against a debt of $17,500. Such ratios highlight the long-term value these programs can deliver.
BLS data from 2024 shows significant geographic wage variation across the state, which directly influences a BSN’s payoff:
For context, Virginia’s statewide mean annual wage for RNs is $88,820, with the 10th percentile at $64,370 and the 90th percentile at $124,040. The national median sits at $93,600. While BSN-specific wage premiums are not published by major health systems, employers’ hiring requirements consistently tilt toward the degree.
Several of the largest Virginia health systems have clear BSN preferences or mandates:
These policies align with Magnet designation standards, which many hospitals pursue. A BSN is often the baseline for advancement and can be a gatekeeper for positions offering higher pay and greater autonomy.
With most RN-to-BSN programs in Virginia offered fully online and designed for working nurses, the financial calculation often looks favorable. Several schools in this directory show debt-to-earnings ratios that suggest a quick recoup. Chamberlain’s $92,405 median earnings against $20,919 in debt yields a ratio of roughly 4.4. UVA’s ratio exceeds 4.9, and Sentara College’s is near 4.0. Even at the lower end of the range, a BSN boosts employability in a job market that increasingly treats the degree as a baseline credential. The combination of low-cost online formats and strong regional RN wages makes the Virginia RN-to-BSN path a financially sound move for most ADN-prepared nurses.
For nurses serving in the military, the challenge isn't finding tuition assistance, it's identifying which program respects that service with transparent, stackable benefits and the flexibility to accommodate a deployment schedule.
The state hosts major installations, Norfolk Naval Station, Quantico, Fort Barfoot, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, so many RN-to-BSN students are active-duty, reservists, veterans, or military spouses. Virginia's public universities and several private programs have built robust support structures in response.
All of Virginia's public universities that offer RN-to-BSN pathways are approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which typically cover full in-state tuition and mandatory fees. This means that at schools like Old Dominion University and George Mason University, in-state students using the GI Bill can complete their BSN with zero tuition out-of-pocket. Both schools also operate dedicated veteran services centers to help with enrollment and benefits paperwork. For private institutions, coverage varies. Liberty University and Chamberlain University participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which fills the gap between GI Bill caps and actual tuition costs, often eliminating remaining expenses. ECPI University combines GI Bill acceptance with its own military tuition discount, making the net cost even lower.
Beyond federal benefits, several Virginia RN-to-BSN programs carry military-friendly designations and offer institutional discounts. Liberty University and ECPI University both advertise military tuition discounts and have been recognized as military-friendly schools. The state also enforces in-state tuition protections for veterans, ensuring that those who relocate to Virginia after service aren't charged out-of-state rates. Many programs grant credit for military medical training, which can shorten the time to degree and further cut costs. Additional state-specific grants and waivers may apply, so checking with the program's veteran certifying official is a smart step.
Most of these programs are delivered entirely or largely online, a critical feature for personnel who may receive PCS orders mid-semester. Liberty and Chamberlain offer fully online tracks, while schools like ODU and George Mason use hybrid models with minimal on-campus requirements. This flexibility lets active-duty students and spouses continue coursework from any duty station without interrupting their education timeline.
Deciding to advance from an RN to a BSN is a big step. These common questions cover essentials like program length, cost, online options, and accreditation to help you plan your next move.
Beyond the top-ranked selections, Virginia hosts many additional RN-to-BSN programs worth exploring. The following directory lists 10 accredited programs not included in the earlier ranking, organized by region for easy scanning. Each entry includes format, estimated net price, and a key program feature.
