Compare costs, formats, and completion timelines across every accredited Virginia RN-to-BSN program.
An associate degree gets you licensed; a BSN increasingly decides where you get hired. Magnet recognition standards push hospitals toward a majority-BSN nursing staff, and Virginia's larger systems in Richmond, Norfolk, and Northern Virginia hire accordingly, often writing a completion deadline into the offer letter.
What varies is the price, not the credential. Average net prices across Virginia's RN to BSN programs run from about $9,210 at the University of Virginia's College at Wise to north of $33,000 at the upper end, with delivery split between fully asynchronous coursework and hybrid models like UVA's monthly in-person sessions. Same license, same scope of practice, and a threefold spread between the most affordable RN to BSN program and the priciest.
Virginia offers a strong mix of RN to BSN options, and the ten programs below are presented with a focus on affordability and financial aid. Each card highlights program-specific strengths such as credit for prior nursing experience, flexible pacing, and employer-aligned tracks.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise, VA | $12,000 – $28,000/yr (est.) | Rural Virginia RNs seeking low-cost online | |
UVA Wise offers an RN to BSN pathway for registered nurses who hold a diploma or associate degree in nursing. Students complete general education prerequisites and must be admitted to the college before entering the nursing program. The curriculum prepares nurses for advanced roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | $10,000 – $23,000/yr (est.) | Working RNs needing part-time asynchronous pacing | |
Virginia State University offers an RN to BSN completion program for working RNs, with part-time pacing over five semesters. Students take one eight-week course at a time in an asynchronous format, completing six credits per semester. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and community-focused practicums in rural and urban settings. CCNE accredited
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| #3 | Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | Military-connected nurses in Hampton Roads | |
Norfolk State University offers an RN to BSN program that can be completed in 9 to 18 months. The curriculum focuses on community leadership, professional scholarship, and high-stakes competency assessments using HESI, ATI, and NLN tools. Admission requires a current RN license, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and prerequisite courses in algebra, math, biology, and chemistry.
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| #4 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | $13,000 – $34,000/yr (est.) | ||
Old Dominion University offers an RN to BSN program that awards 33 experiential learning credits at no cost, recognizing prior nursing experience. Students can choose full-time or part-time study with fall, spring, or summer start dates. The curriculum addresses cultural competence, health policy, and evidence-based practice. CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Radford University | Radford, VA | $15,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Radford University offers an RN-to-BSN program with seven-week sessions designed for working nurses. The program includes a co-enrollment pathway with Virginia Community College System nursing students and allows clinical and capstone experiences close to home. It emphasizes leadership, critical thinking, and patient-centered care. CCNE accredited
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| #6 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $22,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
The University of Virginia offers an RN to BSN program with part-time, two-year study and monthly in-person classes at three Virginia locations: Charlottesville, Richmond, or Fairfax. The curriculum covers informatics, pathophysiology, research, leadership, health policy, and population health. Prior coursework can earn up to 42 credits toward the degree. CCNE accredited
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| #7 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | ~$20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Regent University offers an RN to B.S. in Nursing program with eight-week courses and a Christian worldview perspective. Students complete 45 practice immersion hours in settings such as hospitals and community health centers, along with a capstone project. The curriculum includes nursing leadership, community and public health, evidence-based research, and health informatics. CCNE accredited
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| #8 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
ECPI University offers an RN to BSN program that can be completed in 12 months. The degree requires 120 total credits, with 50 credits awarded for prior nursing education and 50 credits in degree-completion coursework. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, an active RN license, and a nursing diploma or associate degree. CCNE accredited
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| #9 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | Newport News, VA | $21,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Riverside College of Health Sciences offers an RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses seeking a bachelor's degree. The curriculum requires 38 credits, including practicum projects and a capstone course focused on community health. Financial aid and scholarships are available, with discounts for alumni and Riverside team members.
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| #10 | Sentara College of Health Sciences | Chesapeake, VA | |||
Sentara College of Health Sciences offers an RN to BSN program with separate tracks for Sentara employees and non-employees. Students have access to financial aid counseling, federal aid, scholarships, and military benefits. Admission requires an active RN license. CCNE accredited
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Yes, Virginia offers several fully online RN-to-BSN programs that require no campus visits, though many include a practicum or clinical component completed in your local community. Programs labeled “hybrid” involve some in-person sessions, like monthly classes (University of Virginia) or a blend of online and on-campus coursework (Bluefield University, University of Mary Washington). The table below compares the format, estimated net price, and location for all 20 RN-to-BSN programs in Virginia.
| School | Format | Net Price | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Averett University | Online | $22,925 | Danville |
| Bluefield University | Hybrid | $25,573 | Bluefield |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | Online | N/A | Richmond |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | Online | $33,199 | Vienna |
| ECPI University | Online | $22,965 | Virginia Beach |
| Emory & Henry University | Online | $19,061 | Emory |
| Ferrum College | Online | $20,082 | Ferrum |
| Longwood University | Online | $19,066 | Farmville |
| Mary Baldwin University | Online | $12,756 | Staunton |
| Norfolk State University | Online | $15,282 | Norfolk |
| Old Dominion University | Online | $14,638 | Norfolk |
| Radford University | Online | $14,578 | Radford |
| Regent University | Online | $19,923 | Virginia Beach |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | Online | $20,744 | Newport News |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | Online | N/A | Chesapeake |
| University of Mary Washington | Hybrid | $20,667 | Fredericksburg |
| University of Virginia | Hybrid | $21,565 | Charlottesville |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | Online | $9,210 | Wise |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Online | $23,433 | Richmond |
| Virginia State University | Online | $15,840 | Petersburg |
The most affordable path to a BSN for Virginia RNs is through University of Virginia's College at Wise, which reports an average net price of $9,210 after grants and scholarships. Mary Baldwin University ($12,756) and Radford University ($14,578) round out the top three. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide average, your actual cost will depend on your financial aid package and transfer credits.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | $11,780 | $28,010 | $9,210 |
| Mary Baldwin University | $21,187 | $21,187 | $12,756 |
| Radford University | $12,548 | $25,633 | $14,578 |
| Old Dominion University | $12,750 | $33,780 | $14,638 |
| Norfolk State University | $10,180 | $21,682 | $15,282 |
| Virginia State University | $10,043 | $22,650 | $15,840 |
| Emory & Henry University | $39,000 | $39,000 | $19,061 |
| Longwood University | $15,740 | $27,980 | $19,066 |
| Regent University | $21,650 | $21,650 | $19,923 |
| Ferrum College | $28,380 | $28,380 | $20,082 |
| University of Mary Washington | $14,905 | $28,083 | $20,667 |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | $14,250 | $14,250 | $20,744 |
| University of Virginia | $23,118 | $61,591 | $21,565 |
| Averett University | $38,550 | $38,550 | $22,925 |
| ECPI University | $18,484 | $18,484 | $22,965 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $16,720 | $39,884 | $23,433 |
| Bluefield University | $26,770 | $26,770 | $25,573 |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $21,520 | $21,520 | $33,199 |
A typical RN-to-BSN program in Virginia takes 12 to 24 months, but your actual timeline depends on transfer credits, pace, and whether you choose an accelerated or co-enrollment pathway. Most Virginia nursing programs require 30 to 35 nursing credits beyond the associate degree; full-time students often finish in two semesters, while part-time students may take three or four. The key is mapping your existing credits against the program’s curriculum early.
Virginia’s public universities set their own credit requirements and term structures. For example, Old Dominion University’s online RN-to-BSN program accepts up to 90 transfer credits and requires 30 nursing credits, allowing full-time students to complete in as few as 12 months. George Mason University’s pathway admits RNs to the BSN with 30 upper-division nursing credits and offers both full-time (two semesters) and part-time (four semesters) options. Radford University’s School of Nursing lists a total of 120 credits for the degree, with the RN-to-BSN core at 27, 30 credits, typically finished in three semesters for those taking two courses per term. These examples illustrate that the finish line is often a year to 18 months for a committed full-time student.
Some Virginia schools offer truly compressed formats designed for working nurses. Liberty University’s online RN-to-BSN can be completed in as few as 12 months by taking 8-week courses year-round. Shenandoah University’s accelerated RN-to-BSN track compresses coursework into about 15 months. When exploring accelerated options, search directly on program websites for phrases like “accelerated RN-to-BSN” or “fast-track,” and pay attention to admission cycles: some accelerated cohorts start only once or twice a year. Always confirm the number of clinical and practicum hours embedded in the accelerated schedule, as this may affect your ability to balance work.
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has formal co-enrollment agreements with multiple four-year institutions, allowing ADN students to earn BSN credits concurrently or transition seamlessly after graduation. Old Dominion, George Mason, and Radford all participate in such partnerships. Through a VCCS bridge, students typically apply during their ADN program and begin taking BSN-level courses that count toward both degrees. This can reduce the post-ADN timeline to as little as one semester. Admission to these bridges often requires a nursing license or pending license, a GPA threshold, and advising from both the community college and the university. Eligibility rules vary, so review the partnering university’s nursing admission page and the VCCS transfer website for the most current agreements.
Program lengths and transfer policies change frequently, so use primary sources. Visit the nursing program pages of individual universities for their degree plans and credit-transfer articulation. The Virginia Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) maintain directories that link to accredited programs, helping you quickly compile a list. Contact admissions advisors for a personalized degree completion estimate based on your transcripts. A phone call or a short email with your unofficial transcript attached often yields the most accurate timeline forecast.
Virginia offers a robust selection of RN-to-BSN pathways designed for working nurses. The following key figures summarize what you can expect from these programs.
As demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses grows, Virginia's RN-to-BSN programs have adopted flexible admissions and multiple annual start dates, but prospective students exploring nursing career paths must dig deeper to understand transfer credit policies. Official program websites rarely list the full story on credit maximums and prior learning assessments, making direct outreach a critical step.
Virginia programs share a core set of admission standards, though exact thresholds vary. All require a current, unencumbered RN license, endorsed by the Virginia Board of Nursing if you hold an out-of-state license, and a nursing diploma or associate degree from an accredited institution. Most programs request official transcripts, a completed application, and sometimes a brief personal statement. Here is what to expect across several major schools:
Transfer credit limits are less straightforward. Most public universities in Virginia cap the number of credits accepted from an associate degree at around 90, but how those credits map to BSN courses depends on articulation agreements and institutional policies. - Credit maximums: Old Dominion often awards up to 90 credits for prior nursing and general education coursework, while Radford accepts a similar maximum but may limit upper-division nursing transfer credits. Private institutions like Liberty and ECPI may have more generous limits, sometimes accepting up to 75% of degree requirements. - Prior learning assessment: A few schools, including ECPI and George Mason, offer challenge exams or portfolio review for credit, but these options are rarely advertised. Contacting an admission counselor is the surest way to learn what counts.
Program websites typically list minimum GPAs and license requirements, but the details of rolling admissions, multiple start dates, and credit review processes often reside with admission counselors. For instance, ECPI offers five start dates per year and Liberty has up to six, while public schools like Norfolk State may have just two or three. Transfer credit evaluations are frequently done on a case-by-case basis; an unofficial transcript review can reveal how many credits you will actually receive long before you apply. Additionally, counselors can clarify Virginia Board of Nursing endorsement timelines and any school-specific health or background check requirements that are not published online.
RN to BSN programs in Virginia are reviewed by two national nursing accreditors: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both ensure that a curriculum meets rigorous standards for faculty qualifications, clinical experiences, and student outcomes. Employers, graduate schools, and certification bodies rely on programmatic accreditation to verify that your degree represents a high-quality education. A BSN from an unaccredited program can block your path to advanced practice, management roles, or specialty certifications, so choosing an accredited program is essential from day one.
Every ranked RN to BSN program on this list holds CCNE accreditation, the most common designation for baccalaureate nursing education in the state. This includes the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, Radford University, and Liberty University. While some Virginia community college and hospital-based programs may carry ACEN accreditation, the major public and private universities offering RN to BSN pathways here have all earned CCNE recognition, which can be especially important if you plan to pursue a graduate degree at a CCNE-preferred institution.
The Virginia Board of Nursing does not require separate state approval for RN to BSN completion programs. Its regulatory oversight focuses on pre-licensure tracks, diploma, associate, and entry-level baccalaureate programs, that prepare students for initial NCLEX-RN eligibility. Because RN to BSN students already hold an active RN license, the board does not review or endorse these degree offerings. This differs from programmatic accreditation: CCNE and ACEN evaluate the curriculum’s academic integrity, while the state board protects public safety by vetting programs that produce new nurses. For RN-to-BSN candidates, national accreditation is the bar that matters.
Virginia has not passed any BSN-in-10 legislation, and state law does not mandate a baccalaureate degree for practice. However, market forces are reshaping expectations. Major health systems with Magnet or Magnet-aspiring status, including Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, and VCU Health, have adopted internal BSN-preference or requirement policies. Inova, for instance, requires new RNs to hold a BSN or commit to earning one within two to five years. Sentara lists a BSN as preferred and makes it mandatory for certain clinical leadership roles, while VCU Health ties its preference to a CCNE-accredited degree. These employer-driven benchmarks make an accredited RN to BSN a strategic investment even in the absence of a legal mandate.
In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro, registered nurses earn a median annual wage between $98,000 and $100,000, with the top 10 percent exceeding $140,000. Those figures, from 2024 data, set a high bar for BSN-level earnings in Virginia’s most competitive healthcare market.
Program-level earnings data for RN-to-BSN completers in Virginia is not yet available from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. However, institution-wide outcomes suggest strong earning power among graduates. For example, Chamberlain University-Virginia reports a median earnings of $92,405 for former students ten years after entry, combined with a median total debt of only $20,919. The University of Virginia shows median earnings of $86,863 against a debt of $17,500. Such ratios highlight the long-term value these programs can deliver.
BLS data from 2024 shows significant geographic wage variation across the state, which directly influences a BSN’s payoff:
For context, Virginia’s statewide mean annual wage for RNs is $88,820, with the 10th percentile at $64,370 and the 90th percentile at $124,040. The national median sits at $93,600. While BSN-specific wage premiums are not published by major health systems, employers’ hiring requirements consistently tilt toward the degree.
Several of the largest Virginia health systems have clear BSN preferences or mandates:
These policies align with Magnet designation standards, which many hospitals pursue. A BSN is often the baseline for advancement and can be a gatekeeper for positions offering higher pay and greater autonomy.
With most RN-to-BSN programs in Virginia offered fully online and designed for working nurses, the financial calculation often looks favorable. Several schools in this directory show debt-to-earnings ratios that suggest a quick recoup. Chamberlain’s $92,405 median earnings against $20,919 in debt yields a ratio of roughly 4.4. UVA’s ratio exceeds 4.9, and Sentara College’s is near 4.0. Even at the lower end of the range, a BSN boosts employability in a job market that increasingly treats the degree as a baseline credential. The combination of low-cost online formats and strong regional RN wages makes the Virginia RN-to-BSN path a financially sound move for most ADN-prepared nurses.
For nurses serving in the military, the challenge isn't finding tuition assistance, it's identifying which program respects that service with transparent, stackable benefits and the flexibility to accommodate a deployment schedule.
The state hosts major installations, Norfolk Naval Station, Quantico, Fort Barfoot, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, so many RN-to-BSN students are active-duty, reservists, veterans, or military spouses. Virginia's public universities and several private programs have built robust support structures in response.
All of Virginia's public universities that offer RN-to-BSN pathways are approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which typically cover full in-state tuition and mandatory fees. This means that at schools like Old Dominion University and George Mason University, in-state students using the GI Bill can complete their BSN with zero tuition out-of-pocket. Both schools also operate dedicated veteran services centers to help with enrollment and benefits paperwork. For private institutions, coverage varies. Liberty University and Chamberlain University participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which fills the gap between GI Bill caps and actual tuition costs, often eliminating remaining expenses. ECPI University combines GI Bill acceptance with its own military tuition discount, making the net cost even lower.
Beyond federal benefits, several Virginia RN-to-BSN programs carry military-friendly designations and offer institutional discounts. Liberty University and ECPI University both advertise military tuition discounts and have been recognized as military-friendly schools. The state also enforces in-state tuition protections for veterans, ensuring that those who relocate to Virginia after service aren't charged out-of-state rates. Many programs grant credit for military medical training, which can shorten the time to degree and further cut costs. Additional state-specific grants and waivers may apply, so checking with the program's veteran certifying official is a smart step.
Most of these programs are delivered entirely or largely online, a critical feature for personnel who may receive PCS orders mid-semester. Liberty and Chamberlain offer fully online tracks, while schools like ODU and George Mason use hybrid models with minimal on-campus requirements. This flexibility lets active-duty students and spouses continue coursework from any duty station without interrupting their education timeline.
Deciding to advance from an RN to a BSN is a big step. These common questions cover essentials like program length, cost, online options, and accreditation to help you plan your next move.
Beyond the programs ranked above, Virginia offers RN to BSN options spread across the state, from Richmond and Northern Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley and the southwest. This directory groups those additional programs by region so you can scan what sits near your home, your job, or your clinical placement site. Formats, start dates, and credit policies vary widely, so confirm current admission status on each program's own page.
