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.
Our ranking spotlights seven practical nursing programs across Virginia that serve the Virginia Beach region. While only one school is physically in Virginia Beach, several affordable public colleges and a high-performing private option are within a reasonable radius. We evaluated each program on cost, format, licensure preparation, and outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (net price) | Virginia Beach residents needing accelerated path | |
ECPI University is a private institution with a campus right in Virginia Beach, offering an accelerated 15-month Practical Nursing diploma. The program emphasizes hands-on labs and clinical training, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam with no extra prerequisites beyond the TEAS entrance exam. The institution-wide graduation rate is 42.5%, reflecting all programs, not exclusively nursing. Its multiple Virginia locations and military-friendly policies add local flexibility for Hampton Roads residents.
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| #2 | Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | Falls Church, VA | $36,000/yr | Full-time students leveraging hybrid flexibility | |
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing is a private for-profit college in Falls Church with a competitive 14-month full-time or 18-month part-time hybrid LPN program. With an admission rate of 27.9% and an institution-wide graduation rate of 66.2%, it draws motivated students from across Virginia. The curriculum blends online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals, and it requires no entrance exam. Approval by the Virginia Board of Nursing assures eligibility for state licensure and compact practice in Virginia Beach.
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| #3 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | $0 – $5,000/yr | Affordable public option with proven pass rates | |
Rappahannock Community College is a public two-year college serving coastal Virginia with a Practical Nursing Certificate at its Glenns and Warsaw campuses. The program boasts a reported 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2023 and strong job placement within six months. The institution-wide graduation rate is 45.3%, and net price for public students is a low $4,343. Admission is competitive with a Kaplan Entrance Exam and a fall application deadline. This affordable, outcomes-focused option is a solid value for budget-conscious students willing to train in a rural setting.
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| #4 | Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Piedmont Virginia Community College, located in Charlottesville, offers a hybrid Practical Nursing certificate that blends online learning with over 400 clinical hours in diverse settings. The 37-credit program reports a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate in recent cohorts and participates in Virginia's G3 initiative, which may cover tuition and fees for eligible residents. The institution-wide graduation rate is 38.6%, common for open-admission community colleges. Its hybrid format and potential free tuition make it an attractive option for Virginia Beach students willing to relocate temporarily.
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| #5 | Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | ||
Wytheville Community College is a public two-year college in Southwest Virginia with a five-semester campus-based Practical Nursing program. The curriculum includes summers and progresses from two to four days per week at the Crossroads Institute in Galax. With an 88% reported NCLEX-PN pass rate, high school biology and algebra prerequisites, and a dual-credit option for high school seniors, this program serves both recent graduates and career changers. The institution-wide graduation rate is 47.4%, and net price is an affordable $4,622 for public students.
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| #6 | Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville, VA | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
Patrick & Henry Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is an intensive three-semester campus program in Martinsville. It has reported a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for four consecutive years, highlighting strong instruction. Admission requires the ATI TEAS exam and a mandatory information session. The institution-wide graduation rate is 41.5%, and net price is the lowest on this list at $4,102. Though not nationally accredited, its Virginia Board of Nursing approval still qualifies graduates for state licensure and compact practice in Virginia Beach.
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| #7 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr | ||
Germanna Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is a one-year campus program in Locust Grove with an estimated total cost around $6,700, making it one of the most affordable paths to licensure. No entrance exam is required, simplifying admission. The institution-wide graduation rate is 46.5%, and net price is $5,541. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and can seek employment throughout Virginia, including Virginia Beach, under state licensure.
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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.
