Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats for BSN programs accessible from Manassas.
Manassas sits squarely within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro region, where registered nurses earn mean annual wages above $83,000, significantly higher than the national median. The area's concentration of major employers, including Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, and multiple HCA Virginia campuses, means nursing graduates often secure clinical placements and first jobs without leaving Northern Virginia.
BSN programs within commuting distance span three distinct pathways: traditional four-year degrees at public universities, accelerated second-degree options for career changers, and RN-to-BSN programs designed for working ADN nurses. Both public and private institutions serve this corridor, with George Mason University and several private colleges enrolling students from Prince William County and beyond.
Employers in the region increasingly prefer or require a bachelor's-level nursing credential, even for entry-level hospital roles. That reality, combined with a tight housing market and above-average tuition at some nearby programs, pushes prospective students to weigh NCLEX pass rates, clinical access, and total cost with more scrutiny than they might elsewhere in Virginia.
The following BSN programs represent the best options within a 65-mile radius of Manassas, chosen for their blend of local accessibility, program quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes. Each profile highlights what sets the school apart, from hands-on clinical placements to flexible formats that accommodate working nurses. Use these snapshots to compare tuition, program length, and curriculum focus as you plan your nursing education.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Prince William County commuters | |
George Mason University’s Fairfax campus is one of the closest public BSN options to Manassas, offering both a four-year traditional track and a 12-month accelerated second-degree program. Students train through a dense network of clinical partners including Inova and Sentara, with many sites in Prince William County. Strong articulation agreements with Northern Virginia Community College make it a natural next step for local pre-nursing students.
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| #2 | University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $21,000/yr (net price) | Working RNs in Northern Virginia | |
University of Mary Washington’s Fredericksburg campus is within commuting distance of Manassas, and its hybrid RN-to-BSN program minimizes campus visits for working nurses. The curriculum integrates UMW’s liberal arts foundation with AACN Essentials, awarding 41 credits for an active RN license and allowing transfer of up to 90 credits. Graduates often move into leadership or graduate study, benefitting from strong ties to regional employers like Mary Washington Healthcare.
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| #3 | George Washington University | Washington, DC | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | Career-changers and veterans | |
George Washington University provides a BSN with multiple entry points, including an accelerated track for second-degree students and a dedicated Veterans BSN pathway. The four-semester, full-time curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and leadership, with clinical rotations at top D.C.-area hospitals. While private, GWU’s urban location offers exposure to a broad range of health systems and patient populations.
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| #4 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $40,000 – $45,000/yr | ||
Georgetown University’s BSN is a four-year direct-entry program rooted in Jesuit values, featuring over 800 clinical and simulation hours at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and other sites. The curriculum stresses clinical judgment, diversity, and leadership, and the school is recognized as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence. A three-semester BSN Honors Program offers advanced scholarly inquiry for top students.
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| #5 | The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
The Catholic University of America’s Conway School of Nursing offers a BSN that blends rigorous academics with a holistic, person-centered approach. Students complete clinicals at top D.C.-area hospitals and can pursue a Spanish for Health Care Certificate or study abroad in five countries. The Conway Nursing Scholars Program and a high first-time NCLEX pass rate underscore the school’s commitment to student success.
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| #6 | Towson University | Towson, MD | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | ||
Towson University’s BSN is a competitive, screened major that students apply to during their sophomore year. The program combines rigorous science coursework with leadership and communication training, and graduates consistently outperform state NCLEX averages. Clinical placements at partner sites across the Baltimore-Washington corridor provide diverse experiences.
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| #7 | University of Maryland, Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | |||
University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing provides an upper-division BSN for students who have completed prerequisites, with a competency-based curriculum aligned to AACN Essentials. The two-year full-time program features clinical experiences in real-life settings and integrated simulation. Ranked top 10 nationally by U.S. News, it produces practice-ready nurses who are eligible for NCLEX-RN.
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| #8 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $19,000/yr (net price) | ||
Johns Hopkins University offers a direct-entry MSN for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field, blending nursing science with leadership and global health. The full-time, five-semester on-campus program prepares graduates for RN licensure and emphasizes evidence-based practice. Its rigorous curriculum and prestigious name carry strong job prospects, though the price point is high.
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| #9 | American Public University System | Charles Town, WV | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
American Public University System offers a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program designed for working registered nurses. CCNE-accredited, it awards 30 automatic transfer credits for an active RN license and accepts up to 90 credits total. The eight-week courses and asynchronous format allow nurses to keep working while advancing their degree, with a community health component that engages vulnerable populations.
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| #10 | Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Washington, DC | $39,000/yr | ||
Saint Michael College of Allied Health provides an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing, a 24-month pathway to RN licensure. The curriculum includes 70 credits with 43 nursing-specific credits, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. With campuses in Washington, D.C., and an evening option, it offers flexibility for students balancing other responsibilities.
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The table below sorts nursing programs near Manassas by net price, from lowest to highest, to help cost-conscious readers quickly identify value. Net price is the institution-wide average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, not a guaranteed individual quote. Median graduate debt reflects federal loan debt for undergraduates who completed their programs.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul D Camp Community College | $5,012 | $11,450 | $4,126 | $6,880 |
| Wytheville Community College | $5,007 | $11,445 | $4,622 | $7,500 |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | $5,022 | $11,460 | $4,861 | $9,182 |
| Virginia Western Community College | $5,400 | $11,838 | $4,966 | $11,000 |
| Brightpoint Community College | $5,082 | $11,520 | $5,490 | $9,500 |
| Germanna Community College | $5,257 | $11,648 | $5,541 | $8,400 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | $5,072 | $11,510 | $5,963 | $8,750 |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | $5,072 | $11,510 | $6,013 | $9,750 |
| New River Community College | $4,979 | $11,417 | $6,279 | $9,000 |
| Danville Community College | $4,992 | $11,430 | $6,669 | $9,000 |
Licensure exam performance remains the most transparent quality signal for nursing programs, but savvy applicants are increasingly looking beyond pass rates to measures of graduate debt and early-career earnings.
According to the most recent Virginia Board of Nursing data, BSN programs statewide achieved an average NCLEX-RN pass rate of roughly 92%.1 This figure stands well above the national average, which dipped to about 69% in 2025.2 For students comparing programs near Manassas, the state-level performance provides a strong baseline: most established BSN pathways in the region consistently produce graduates who pass the licensure exam on the first attempt.
While exact pass rates for every local school fluctuate year to year and are not always publicly itemized by campus, Northern Virginia universities with approved BSN programs, including George Mason University, the University of Mary Washington, and James Madison University, have historically maintained pass rates at or above the Virginia BSN average. Prospective students can request the most recent three-year rolling pass-rate data directly from each nursing department during the application process.
Licensure is only one piece of the puzzle. Federal outcome data, though limited at the program level, offers a snapshot of what BSN graduates from regional schools can expect financially. For instance, median earnings a decade after enrolling range from the high $50,000s to the mid-$80,000s depending on the institution. University of Virginia nursing alumni report median earnings of nearly $87,000, paired with a relatively low median debt load of $17,500. George Mason University graduates see median earnings of over $76,000 with typical debt around $19,500. James Madison University and the University of Mary Washington show solid but more modest earnings figures, with median debt in the $20,000 range.
Keep in mind that these earnings are aggregated across all fields and may include graduates who pursue advanced degrees or work outside direct patient care. Program-level earnings specifically for nursing are not yet available for many schools, but institutional data still provides a useful rough gauge of return on investment.
A high NCLEX pass rate does not guarantee a smooth transition into the workforce. Clinical placement quality, local hiring pipelines, and specialization support can vary considerably. In the Manassas area, proximity to major health systems like Inova and Sentara means that programs with established clinical rotations in those networks often give graduates an edge in job placement, regardless of whether their pass rate is a percentage point above or below the state average.
When evaluating programs, pair NCLEX data with conversations about clinical hour distribution, preceptor matching, and career services support. A school with a modest pass rate but deep hospital partnerships and strong job-placement numbers may offer a more practical path to the bedside than a program that leans entirely on exam metrics.
Registered nurses in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area earned a mean annual wage of $83,490 in 2020, well above the national median of $75,330 that year. While Northern Virginia's cost of living is among the highest in the country, strong wages can help offset expenses, particularly for graduates from top programs like UVA.
Nursing students near Manassas can choose from three distinct BSN pathways: a traditional four-year degree, an accelerated second-degree program, or an RN-to-BSN completion track. Each serves a different career stage and learning need.
This pre-licensure route is designed for students starting college for the first time or transferring in general education credits. Programs at George Mason University, James Madison University, and the University of Virginia follow a full-time, campus-based model that blends science prerequisites, nursing theory, and hands-on clinical rotations. Admission is typically competitive and occurs once per year. While not accelerated, the traditional BSN offers a comprehensive foundation for the NCLEX-RN and a broad liberal arts education.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs let career changers leverage a prior bachelor’s degree to earn a BSN in 12, 24 months. Several options exist within driving distance of Manassas or through hybrid delivery.
All ABSN tracks are intensive and require strict sequencing of clinical hours; planning ahead for prerequisite coursework is essential.
Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma can complete a BSN entirely or mostly online. This pathway is built around a working nurse’s schedule and often accepts transfer credits generously.
Many RN-to-BSN programs have rolling admissions and multiple start dates, making them a practical choice for nurses balancing work and family. When comparing options, verify that any online program meets Virginia licensure requirements.
Admissions standards differ notably between nursing programs near Manassas. George Mason University admits a high share of applicants each year, while ECPI University takes a more accessible, rolling approach that may suit career changers. Both schools are GI Bill-approved and offer dedicated military admissions support, a valuable perk for students connected to nearby bases.
Selecting the right BSN program involves weighing location, cost, format, and outcomes. The FAQs below address common questions from prospective nursing students in Manassas, drawing on data and rankings presented earlier in this article.
Choosing the right BSN program near Manassas means balancing net price, format, and clinical opportunities alongside NCLEX pass rates and graduate earnings data. The ranking and cost tables above offer a starting point, but your own priorities, such as an accelerated timeline or an RN-to-BSN bridge, should guide your shortlist.
For the most detailed, up-to-date admissions info, visit individual school websites directly. You can also browse the Virginia nursing schools to see how programs across the state compare on outcomes and affordability. A few focused comparisons now can save you time and debt later.
