Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and graduate outcomes for every Richmond-area BSN program side by side.
Richmond’s healthcare sector employs more than 13,000 registered nurses across three major health systems: VCU Health, Bon Secours Mercy Health, and HCA Virginia, fueling consistent demand for BSN-prepared graduates.
Aspiring nurses here can choose among traditional four-year BSNs, accelerated second-degree tracks, and online RN-to-BSN programs. Comparing tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program length is critical, as these factors vary widely across schools.
For many applicants, the deciding factor is not just reputation but the alignment of clinical rotations with local employers and a program’s track record on licensure outcomes.
Our ranking identifies the top BSN programs serving the Richmond area by weighing cost, graduation rates, and graduate earnings. Each institution was evaluated using federal data and independent research to highlight options that combine strong outcomes with practical value for Virginia nursing students.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | $23,000/yr | Richmond-based immersion in urban healthcare | |
Virginia Commonwealth University, located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, offers a direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing integrated with VCU Health, a large Magnet-designated system. Clinical rotations span nearly every major Richmond-area provider, from HCA Virginia and Bon Secours to the VA Medical Center, giving students exceptional local exposure. The program is ranked among the top 6% nationally for undergraduate nursing, with a focus on clinical reasoning and technical skills. Most graduates accept positions in central Virginia shortly after finishing.
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| #2 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $22,000/yr (net price) | Elite public BSN with broad clinical reach | |
The University of Virginia's School of Nursing offers multiple pre-licensure BSN pathways: a traditional four-year degree, a three-year transfer completion, and a two-year accelerated option, all of which feature clinical placements across Virginia, including Richmond-area partner health systems. Known for its rigorous academics and high NCLEX pass rates, UVA boasts a 95.6% graduation rate and alumni who earn a median $86,863 ten years after graduation, the highest among the ranked schools. Transfer agreements with Virginia community colleges create a clear pipeline for students starting their nursing journey at two-year schools.
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| #3 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Affordable option with accelerated path | |
George Mason University's School of Nursing combines a competitive in-state tuition of $14,220 with strong workforce connections in Northern Virginia and Richmond. The traditional four-year BSN and the intensive 12-month accelerated second-degree BSN both include clinical rotations at Inova, Sentara, and HCA Virginia facilities, with Richmond-area HCA hospitals frequently hiring graduates. With a net price of $17,915 and a median graduate debt of $19,500, it offers a lower-cost pathway into the profession.
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| #4 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | $23,000/yr | ||
James Madison University's BSN program emphasizes a low faculty-to-student ratio and innovative instruction, blending classroom theory with real-life clinical scenarios. With over 80% of students being Virginia residents, the program is deeply integrated into the Commonwealth's healthcare workforce pipeline, with graduates routinely recruited by VCU Health and HCA Virginia. Accredited by the CCNE and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, JMU reports strong NCLEX-RN outcomes and offers a supportive environment focused on personal and professional growth.
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| #5 | Centra College | Lynchburg, VA | $13,000/yr | ||
Centra College's fully online RN-BSN program is designed for working registered nurses in Virginia who hold an associate degree or diploma and want to earn a bachelor's in as little as 12 months full-time. Tailored for busy professionals, it offers flexible part-time pacing and emphasizes advancement in clinical skills and leadership. The program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and holds SACSCOC accreditation, making it a practical choice for nurses across the state, including those in Richmond-area health systems.
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| #6 | Riverside College of Health Careers | Newport News, VA | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Riverside College of Health Careers offers a campus-based Professional Nursing BSN that combines a 3.5-year timeline with hands-on training and personalized attention, thanks to its 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Integrated with Riverside Health System, the program serves as a pipeline into hospitals and clinics across central and eastern Virginia, with Virginia residents receiving priority admission. Graduates report competitive starting salaries and qualify for the NCLEX-RN.
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| #7 | University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $21,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Mary Washington's Nursing (BSN) Degree Completion Program is a hybrid pathway for registered nurses who hold an associate degree or hospital diploma. With most coursework online and limited on-campus components roughly an hour from Richmond, the program allows working nurses to finish in one year full-time while earning credit for prior education. Formal articulation agreements with Virginia community colleges, including Germanna and Reynolds, offer a streamlined transfer for ADN graduates targeting a bachelor's degree.
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| #8 | Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | ||
Wytheville Community College provides a five-semester Associate of Applied Science in Nursing that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level practice in diverse healthcare settings. As part of the Virginia Community College System, the program is designed to transfer seamlessly into RN-BSN programs at four-year universities like VCU and UMW. With a low net price of $4,622 and a median graduate debt of just $7,500, it is one of the most affordable nursing foundations in the state.
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| #9 | New River Community College | Dublin, VA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
New River Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing offers a rigorous campus-based curriculum approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and can transfer into streamlined RN-BSN pathways at Virginia universities, including VCU and UMW. The program's net price of $6,279 and median debt of $9,000 make it a budget-friendly starting point for students ultimately targeting Richmond-area employment.
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| #10 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr | ||
Germanna Community College's Nursing Associate Degree is a two-year, campus-based program focusing on patient-centered care and clinical judgment. Many graduates commute or relocate to greater Richmond for hospital positions, and the college has established pipelines into UMW's RN-BSN completion program. With an estimated total cost around $11,260 and a net price of $5,541, it offers an accessible entry into registered nursing.
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The table below compares annual tuition and estimated net price for nursing programs at public community colleges in the Richmond area. Paul D Camp Community College has the lowest average net price at $4,126, while Danville Community College is the highest at $6,669, a gap of over $2,500. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide average after grant aid and not specific to the nursing program; actual costs can differ, so use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Average Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul D Camp Community College | $5,012 | $11,450 | $4,126 |
| Wytheville Community College | $5,007 | $11,445 | $4,622 |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | $5,022 | $11,460 | $4,861 |
| Virginia Western Community College | $5,400 | $11,838 | $4,966 |
| Brightpoint Community College | $5,082 | $11,520 | $5,490 |
| Germanna Community College | $5,257 | $11,648 | $5,541 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | $5,072 | $11,510 | $5,963 |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | $5,072 | $11,510 | $6,013 |
| New River Community College | $4,979 | $11,417 | $6,279 |
| Danville Community College | $4,992 | $11,430 | $6,669 |
Choosing a nursing program involves weighing many factors, but few are as telling as NCLEX-RN pass rates. These rates reflect how well a program prepares students for licensure. For Richmond BSN programs, pass rate data from the Virginia Board of Nursing offers a window into recent graduate performance, though official data availability varies by school.
NCLEX-RN pass rates are a concrete measure of a program's ability to equip students with the clinical reasoning and knowledge needed to enter practice. Consistently high rates suggest strong curriculum, quality instruction, and effective student support. Conversely, low or erratic rates can indicate curricular gaps or insufficient preparation.
For Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, first-time NCLEX pass rates were 96.03% in 2023 and 96.80% in 2024. Both years place the school well above the Virginia state average, which was 90.83% in 2023 and 92.32% in 20242.
Pass rates for other Richmond BSN programs, including Virginia Commonwealth University, ECPI University, and Galen College of Nursing, are available through the Virginia Board of Nursing but were not reported in the data reviewed. Prospective students should check the Board's official disclosures for any school they consider, as performance can shift between exam cycles.
A single year's pass rate can be a snapshot influenced by a small graduating class or temporary changes. Multi-year trends provide a more reliable picture. For example, Bon Secours's stability near 96% over two consecutive years suggests consistent program quality. The national average for first-time, U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 20253, making sustained performance above 90% noteworthy.
Nursing programs in Richmond come in different formats to suit a range of educational backgrounds and career timelines. Whether you are starting college for the first time, already hold a degree in another field, or are a working registered nurse looking to advance, there is a BSN pathway designed for you.
The most common route is the traditional pre-licensure BSN, which takes about four years of full-time study. These programs are aimed at students entering college directly from high school or transferring from community colleges. In Richmond, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing offers a pre-licensure BSN track that fits this model, while VCU School of Nursing provides a traditional BSN as well. The four-year timeline includes general education prerequisites, science foundations, and nursing coursework with clinical rotations. Because these programs are designed for students without a prior bachelor's degree, the curriculum builds from the ground up.
For career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another subject, an accelerated BSN (ABSN) compresses nursing education into a much shorter window. These programs typically range from 12 to 24 months, depending on the school's structure and credit load. In Richmond, ECPI University's Accelerated BSN program is one of the fastest, completing in just 12 months of intensive study. VCU offers an Accelerated BSN Transfer Program that spans 24 months and begins each May, designed for students who have completed specific prerequisites. Not every nursing school in the area offers this accelerated option; Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and Galen College's Richmond campus do not currently have ABSN programs. Keep in mind that an ABSN requires a previous bachelor's degree, and admission can be competitive due to the condensed schedule.
Registered nurses who earned an associate degree or diploma and want to complete their BSN have multiple online-friendly options in Richmond. These RN-to-BSN programs typically take one to two years, depending on transfer credits and whether the student attends part-time or full-time. VCU, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, and Galen College all offer RN-to-BSN pathways. Bon Secours and Galen deliver their programs fully online, which gives working nurses flexibility to continue practicing while advancing their education. The curriculum builds on existing clinical knowledge and focuses on leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice.
The answer depends on your starting point. If you are entering college for the first time, a traditional BSN generally requires four years. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN can be finished in as little as 12 months at ECPI or 24 months at VCU. For current RNs seeking a BSN, completion programs are designed to be finished in one to two years, with flexible pacing to accommodate work schedules. When evaluating timelines, be sure to factor in any prerequisite courses or general education requirements that may add time before you begin the nursing core.
Program-level earnings data for BSN graduates in Richmond is not yet published in the College Scorecard, so direct 1‑ and 4‑year comparisons are unavailable. For broader context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the 2024 national median annual wage for registered nurses.
Choosing the right BSN program involves weighing admission criteria, program formats, costs, and outcomes. Below are answers to common questions prospective nursing students in Richmond ask to help narrow their options.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Virginia offers many other BSN and ADN options for aspiring nurses. This directory lists additional schools across the state, each with unique formats and strengths. Explore all opportunities to find the right fit for your career goals.
