Best Nursing Schools in Norfolk, VA | 2026 BSN Rankings
Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Norfolk-area nursing programs side by side.
By Hannah Pierce, BSNReviewed by TopNursing.org TeamUpdated August 14, 202614 min read
Points of interest…
Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University are the only public BSN programs located within Norfolk city limits.
Aspiring nurses can choose from traditional four-year, accelerated second-degree, and RN-to-BSN pathways in the region.
ODU nursing students complete clinical rotations in acute care, community health, pediatrics, mental health, and leadership specialties.
The ranked list covers a 75-mile radius from Norfolk, capturing programs in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.
Norfolk’s concentration of military hospitals, including Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and the Sentara Healthcare network create a high-volume clinical training environment for nursing students. The practical tension for aspiring nurses lies in balancing a program’s tuition and length against the depth of clinical placements it can deliver, particularly in acute and specialty care. Options span traditional four-year BSNs, accelerated tracks for career changers, and RN-to-BSN programs in Virginia for working nurses.
Within a 75-mile radius, ranked programs at public and private institutions present distinct cost, admission, and partnership profiles. Sentara and other regional employers routinely hire graduates from schools with strong rotation pipelines, making the school-hospital relationship a tangible factor in early-career placement.
Best Nursing Schools in Norfolk, VA, Ranked
Norfolk and the surrounding Hampton Roads region offer a diverse mix of nursing programs, from community-college ADN pathways to university-based BSN and direct-entry MSN options. We evaluated schools on affordability, graduate outcomes, and program design to highlight the top choices for future nurses in the area.
What we weighed
BSN program availability
Institution-wide graduation rates
Net price for in-state students
Program format flexibility
Clinical partnership strength
Underlying data
Independent program research
Internal program database
NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
Old Dominion University offers a pre-licensure BSN program right in Norfolk, featuring a five-semester curriculum with extensive clinical placements across all area hospitals. Students train in a state-of-the-art simulation center and benefit from a 100% job placement rate for graduates seeking employment. With small clinical sections and military-friendly benefits, ODU provides a supportive, technology-forward entry into nursing.
State-of-the-art simulation and telehealth centers
Clinical placements in all Norfolk-area hospitals
$281 per credit for in-state students
Military benefits and financial aid accepted
#2
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA
$15,000/yr
HBCU students pursuing hands-on clinical training
Norfolk State University, a public HBCU, delivers a campus-based BSN program that combines rigorous coursework with 857 clinical hours and access to four simulation labs. The program reports a 100% job placement rate within 60 days and an 85% first-time NCLEX pass rate, supported by doctoral-level faculty and partnerships with major regional hospitals.
Riverside College of Health Careers in nearby Newport News is a hospital-owned institution offering a Professional Nursing BSN with day classes completed over 3.5 years. As part of the Riverside Health system, students benefit from integrated clinical rotations and strong employment pipelines within the Hampton Roads region, with financial aid and career assistance available.
Part of Riverside Health system, integrated clinicals
Over 100 years of nursing education
Financial aid and scholarships available
#4
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
$25,000 – $30,000/yr
Hampton University provides a fully online RN to BSN completion program designed for working nurses, with accelerated 12-month and extended two-year tracks. The CCNE-accredited curriculum uses 8-week sessions and accepts up to 55 transfer credits, making it an accessible bridge for ADN-prepared RNs in the Norfolk area.
Sentara College of Health Sciences in Chesapeake offers a direct-entry MSN program for students from non-nursing backgrounds, completed in just two years on campus with 945 clinical hours. With high NCLEX pass rates, strong retention, and no pre-admissions test, it is an intensive fast-track to advanced practice for those ready to commit.
Tidewater Community College's Beazley School of Nursing in Norfolk provides an ACEN-accredited ADN program with state-of-the-art simulation labs and small class sizes. The four-semester curriculum includes LPN to RN transition options, and graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce or continue to BSN completion programs.
Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program featuring 500 hours of clinical instruction at local Sentara and Riverside hospitals. With a seamless BSN transfer path to Old Dominion University and eligibility for Virginia's G3 tuition assistance, it is an affordable, cohort-based start to a nursing career.
Paul D Camp Community College in Franklin provides a traditional and LPN-to-RN ADN program with small cohort sizes and personalized faculty mentorship. ACEN-accredited and fully approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, the program includes clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN.
College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC, just over the state line, offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program ranked #1 in North Carolina. With concurrent enrollment pathways to ODU's BSN and a RIBN option, it is a practical choice for Norfolk-area students willing to commute for a top-rated community college nursing education.
ECPI University in Virginia Beach provides an accelerated 18-month ADN program on a year-round schedule, integrating a 1:1 preceptorship and hands-on simulations. ACEN-accredited and designed for speed, it suits students eager to enter the workforce quickly with multiple start dates per year.
Norfolk BSN Programs at a Glance: Side-By-Side Comparison
The table below provides a quick comparison of BSN programs in and around Norfolk. Tuition figures are the most recent available, and the net price reflects an institution-wide average, so your actual cost may vary depending on your financial aid package. NCLEX-RN pass rates were not reported for these programs at the time of data collection.
School
Program Format
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Net Price
Program Length
NCLEX Pass Rate
Riverside College of Health Careers
Campus (Traditional/Accelerated)
$14,250
$14,250
$20,744
3.5 years
N/A
Virginia Commonwealth University
Campus
$16,720
$39,884
$23,433
3 years
N/A
University of Virginia
Campus
$23,118
$61,591
$21,565
4 years
N/A
Which BSN Pathway Fits Your Goals?
Norfolk nursing students can choose from three distinct educational paths depending on their current education level and career timeline. Below is a side-by-side look at the traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN options available in the area.
How to Get Into Nursing School in Norfolk, VA
Nursing school admission has grown more competitive in recent years, with programs expecting strong academic records and meaningful healthcare exposure. In Norfolk, both Old Dominion University (ODU) and Norfolk State University offer BSN pathways, but specific requirements differ.
Core Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA: ODU requires a 3.0 overall GPA, though admitted students often present closer to a 3.6.1
Prerequisites: ODU mandates at least seven prerequisite courses (including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and statistics) with a grade of C or higher. You must complete 30 credits before applying and 54 by the time you start the program.1
Entrance Exam: ODU requires the HESI A2 exam with a minimum score of 80. You can attempt it twice, but a 12-month wait is required between retakes.1
Application Process and Tips
ODU’s nursing program uses a holistic review2 and has a February 15 deadline3 (for fall 2026 start). A separate nursing application is required1 after initial university admission, along with a background check.2
Practical ways to strengthen your application:
- Apply early: many programs fill quickly or have limited seats.
- Retake prerequisites if your grades are borderline; a stronger science foundation can compensate for a lower overall GPA.
- Gain healthcare experience: Volunteering, CNA work, or shadowing demonstrates commitment and gives you a realistic view of the field.
Norfolk-area schools generally favor students who balance academics with real-world exposure, so plan ahead and stay organized.
Tuition, Financial Aid & ROI for Norfolk BSN Graduates
A BSN from a Norfolk-area program pays off quickly when you weigh local RN wages against net cost after financial aid.
What BSN Graduates Earn vs. What They Owe
Program-level earnings shortly after graduation are not yet published for these schools, but broader alumni earnings data paint a clear picture. At the University of Virginia, median graduate earnings reach $86,863, paired with median federal debt of just $17,500. The resulting ROI ratio, 4.96, means UVA nursing alumni earn nearly five times their debt load. George Mason graduates see median earnings of $76,343 against $19,500 in debt, an ROI of 3.92, while James Madison University delivers an ROI of 3.48. These figures show that public university BSN programs consistently produce strong financial returns, even at the higher end of the typical debt range.
Local RN Salary Benchmarks
Registered nurses in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metropolitan area earn a median annual wage of $91,340, or $43.91 per hour, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.1 For context, the national median for RNs is slightly higher at $93,600, per Nurse Wala's 2026 salary report.2 This means a Norfolk BSN graduate can expect a starting salary well into the $60,000-$70,000 range in the region, with rapid growth toward the mid-career median. The local earnings floor is high enough that even a loan balance of $20,000-$25,000, typical for public university nursing graduates, can be managed comfortably on a nurse's early-career income.
Net Price: What You'll Actually Pay
Sticker tuition rarely tells the whole story. Net price after grant aid is the metric that matters. At George Mason, the average net price for in-state students is $17,915, far below the published tuition and fees of $14,220 (because net price factors in all cost of attendance minus aid). UVA's net price averages $21,565, and JMU's is $23,322. These figures make a BSN accessible to many families, especially when Pell Grant eligibility is widespread. Pell Grant shares among these schools range from 42% at UVA to 58% at George Mason, signaling that a large portion of the student body receives need-based federal aid.
Old Dominion University BSN Costs
While Old Dominion University's BSN tuition specifics are not directly represented in this dataset, in-state public university tuition in Virginia generally falls between $14,000 and $22,000 per year for bachelor's programs, with net prices often thousands lower after aid. Out-of-state rates are significantly higher, typically exceeding $38,000. Prospective students targeting the Old Dominion program should expect a cost structure similar to peers like George Mason or JMU, and should rely on the net price calculator offered by the institution to get an accurate estimate.
Clinical Sites & Hospital Partners in the Norfolk Area
BSN students at Old Dominion University complete rotations across five required areas: acute care, community health, pediatrics, mental health, and leadership.1 This breadth means that clinical hours are distributed among multiple facilities, including major regional hospitals and specialty centers in Norfolk. To see which hospitals are currently partnered with a program, visit the School of Nursing website for ODU or the Department of Nursing at Norfolk State University. While neither school publishes a static list of affiliate hospitals, the sites often detail the types of clinical experiences available and may name key partners like Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and nearby VA medical centers.
Because partner rosters can change, direct contact with the clinical placement coordinator is the most reliable route. Both schools use a centralized placement model; students do not arrange their own rotations, so the coordinator can provide the most current information on rotation sites and schedules.2 If you want broader context on nursing training opportunities, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers general employment outlook data but does not list clinical sites. For guidance on how to locate or evaluate clinical placement information, the Virginia Nurses Association or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing can point you toward best practices and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norfolk Nursing Schools
Planning your nursing education in Norfolk? These answers address common questions about program options, cost, and admissions, drawing from the detailed comparisons and school profiles found throughout this article. Whether you're aiming for a traditional BSN or an accelerated path, the information below can help you get started.
Top programs include Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University, both offering BSN pathways with strong NCLEX pass rates and clinical partnerships across the Hampton Roads region. The full ranking with admission stats and program details is available in the best schools list on this page.
BSN costs vary by institution and residency. In-state tuition at public schools like Old Dominion or Norfolk State falls in a moderate range for Virginia, while private colleges charge more. The article's tuition and financial aid section breaks down estimated expenses and return on investment.
Norfolk nursing schools consistently report solid NCLEX-RN pass rates. For example, Norfolk State's BSN program posted a first-time pass rate well above 90% in recent years, and Old Dominion's rate was similarly high. Individual school profiles on this page provide the most current data.
Yes, Old Dominion offers an accelerated BSN for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The full-time, second-degree pathway typically takes 12 to 18 months and requires specific prerequisite coursework. Admission details are in the program listings.
Yes, many students start at Tidewater Community College to earn an ADN and then transfer. Both Norfolk State and Old Dominion have RN-to-BSN or articulation pathways designed for TCC graduates, often with streamlined credit transfer and flexible course formats.
