Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and admissions requirements for every local program
Hampton Roads hospitals count on Sentara Healthcare and Bon Secours Mercy Health as top employers, keeping demand for licensed practical nurses steady. In Virginia, the credential is LPN, not LVN, so students should search for 'LPN programs' rather than the term common in Texas and California.
Seven practical nursing programs near Virginia Beach accept local students, with annual tuition spanning from under $5,000 to over $35,000 and NCLEX-PN pass rates that range from 100% to just clearing the state minimum. Because Virginia mandates an 80% first-time pass rate for program approval and LPNs in the metro area typically start above $47,000, school selection directly shapes licensure speed and early earnings.
Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads area offer several accredited practical nursing programs to help you launch your LPN career quickly. Our ranking highlights four local schools based on their program features, flexibility, and career preparation.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (net price) | Career changers needing fast entry | |
ECPI University in Virginia Beach offers an accelerated practical nursing diploma that can be completed in just 15 months. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical training and NCLEX-PN preparation, with no extra prerequisites beyond the TEAS exam. Its private, career-focused setting and direct pathway to LPN licensure make it a popular choice for students eager to enter the workforce quickly.
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| #2 | Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | $12,000/yr | Budget-conscious Virginia Beach residents | |
Tidewater Community College's Practical Nursing Education Certificate Program is housed at its Virginia Beach Campus, making it convenient for local students. The three-semester, 45-credit program starts each spring and includes clinical rotations. As a public community college, TCC offers an affordable tuition structure and strong connections to area healthcare employers.
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| #3 | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA | $12,000/yr | Aspiring RNs wanting credit transfer | |
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach delivers a 12-month practical nursing diploma with ACEN accreditation, providing a streamlined path to LPN licensure. The program features hands-on clinical experiences and internship opportunities, and graduates can seamlessly transfer credits into the school's RN program. No application fee and small class sizes enhance accessibility.
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| #4 | Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | $25,000/yr | ||
Fortis College in Norfolk offers a hybrid practical nursing program that blends online theory with on-campus labs and clinicals. The program accepts transfer credit for working CNAs and provides career services support to graduates. Fortis's focus on flexible scheduling and multiple financial aid options can help students balance education with other commitments.
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Our ranking methodology for top LPN programs weighs what matters most: whether a program sets you up for a solid return on your investment. We combine cost, completion, and earnings data to give each school a practical, outcome-driven score.
We source core metrics from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. For each LPN program, we examined net price, the actual amount students pay after subtracting scholarships and grants. This figure is institution-wide and reflects the typical undergraduate cost, not just the nursing program. We also looked at the school's overall graduation rate to gauge student support. On the earnings side, we used median earnings one year and ten years after graduation, which shows both early career traction and long-term wage growth. Finally, median debt load for completers is factored in to highlight affordability.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are essential for licensure, but they are not part of our internal ranking formula. These rates are self-reported by schools and not uniformly available in federal datasets. Instead, we display them alongside each profile when available, so you get a full picture of program quality. Few other ranking sites offer this level of transparency.
We cast a wide net, 75 miles from Virginia Beach, to include the entire Hampton Roads nursing education market for LPN programs. This radius covers schools in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, and beyond, ensuring you don't overlook strong programs just because they sit a short drive away. All tuition figures are the degree-aware, published rates from each school's official materials, not individual quotes. Your actual cost may differ based on aid, residency, and enrollment status.
LPN program costs in the Virginia Beach area range from under $5,000 per year at public community colleges to over $35,000 at private institutions. The table below compares published tuition, net price after financial aid, and the share of students receiving Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how accessible each program is for lower-income students.
| School | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Tuition (Out-of-State) | Net Price | Pell Grant Recipients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Public | $5,002 | $11,440 | $4,102 | N/A |
| Rappahannock Community College | Public | $5,102 | $11,540 | $4,343 | N/A |
| Wytheville Community College | Public | $5,007 | $11,445 | $4,622 | 94.2% |
| Germanna Community College | Public | $5,257 | $11,648 | $5,541 | 79.4% |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Public | $5,072 | $11,510 | $5,963 | 82.0% |
| ECPI University | Private | $18,484 | $18,484 | $22,965 | 79.2% |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | Private | N/A | N/A | $35,726 | 72.0% |
Virginia Board of Nursing data shows the Virginia Beach School of Practical Nursing reporting a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate during the 2024-2025 period, well above the required ≥80% benchmark. For other area programs like ECPI University, Bryant & Stratton College, and Fortis College, the latest public pass rates are not yet available or vary by campus. Always confirm current rates directly with each school’s nursing department.
Most LPN programs in the Virginia Beach area share a core set of prerequisites:
Deadlines differ markedly:
Several programs may maintain waitlists, so earlier submission improves your chances. Contact admissions offices for the most up-to-date deadlines and any potential waitlist information.
Daytime, evening, and part-time tracks are available at some schools, but offerings change year to year. If you need flexible scheduling around work or family, ask program advisors about current part-time or evening LPN options before applying.
Licensed Practical Nurses in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area benefit from competitive wages and a robust job market. Major healthcare employers like Sentara Healthcare, Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare drive consistent demand.
Practical nursing programs in Virginia Beach deliver outstanding return on investment, especially at community colleges where low LPN tuition meets solid earning potential. Program-level first-year earnings are not yet published for many schools, but federal data tracking graduates over a decade shows median earnings surpassing $35,000, with top performers exceeding $40,000. For context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $54,620 for LPNs (May 2023), though local starting salaries may be lower.
The most telling metric is debt compared to long-term earnings. Several programs stand out:
Community college programs consistently offer the best debt-to-earnings ratios. In programs like Rappahannock and Patrick & Henry, median debt data is not available, but their very low in-district tuition ($5,102 and $5,002 respectively) suggests limited borrowing. And with initiatives like Virginia’s G3 program covering tuition for eligible students, the true out-of-pocket cost can be near zero, making these affordable LPN programs even more valuable.
Tidewater Community College’s LPN-to-RN Role Transition track awards 106 clinical hours of prior learning credit, allowing licensed practical nurses to complete their associate degree in nursing in about 24 months. Applicants must hold a current unencumbered LPN license and pass a TEAS-style entrance exam. The program accepts students for fall and spring starts, with application periods in February-March and August-September.1
Riverside College of Health Careers offers a faster pathway. Its LPN-to-RN Advanced Placement track spans 12 to 16 months and includes evening and weekend classes to accommodate working LPNs. Candidates need a valid LPN license and HESI or TEAS scores. The hospital-based college integrates clinical placements throughout the Riverside Health System, providing hands-on experience in a real care environment.2
At ECPI University’s Virginia Beach campus, LPNs can request advanced standing in the 18-month Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. While not a dedicated bridge, this accelerated route lets qualified LPNs bypass introductory courses and proceed directly to core nursing content.3 Old Dominion University does not offer a direct LPN-to-RN bridge, but its School of Nursing partners with community college ADN graduates for online RN-to-BSN programs. LPNs typically complete an ADN first, then transition to the bachelor’s program.4
Moving from LPN to RN sharply raises earning potential. National median wages for RNs are about 55% higher than for LPNs, and the gap in the Virginia Beach metro area is comparable. A bridge program investment of 12 to 24 months often pays back within the first year of RN employment, especially when employers offer tuition assistance. The LPN programs in Virginia page lists additional prelicensure and bridge options across the state for those open to commuting or relocating.
Still have questions about becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia Beach? Here are clear, concise answers to some of the most common queries we receive from prospective students.
