Looking to attend a BSN program in Virginia but not sure where to start?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this post, we’ve ranked the top five BSN programs in Virginia. Whereas other sites use questionable methodology when ranking schools, we’ve based our rankings on hard numbers.
To do this, we collected NCLEX pass rates from the Virginia Department of Health Professions’ Board of Nursing. Then, we calculated the five-year average NCLEX exam pass rate from 2017 to 2021. This way, you know which schools are best preparing students to become licensed RNs.
Don’t forget, however, that enrolling in online BSN programs allows you to get your degree quicker and for less money, so it’s also an option worth considering.
For now though, let’s take a look at the top-rated BSN programs in Virginia.
What Is The Best BSN Program in Virginia?
The best BSN program in Virginia is at Longwood University.
This school had the highest NCLEX pass rate of any in the state. The five-year average pass rate was 98.33%.
Keep in mind, however, that just because this school ranked first on our list doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the perfect program for you.
Read on to learn more about Longwood University and other top-rated BSN programs in Virginia.
5 Best BSN Programs in Virginia Ranked
The table below ranks the top five BSN programs in Virginia by their average NCLEX pass rate from 2017 to 2021. To learn more about each school on the list, keep reading after the table.
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate (2017-2021 Average) |
| Longwood University | 98.33% |
| Radford University | 98.05% |
| James Madison University | 96.10% |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | 95.48% |
| Liberty University | 95.21% |
1. Longwood University
As we mentioned, the best BSN program in Virginia is Longwood University with a five-year average NCLEX pass rate of 98.33%.
The pass rates for each year were:
- 2017: 100%
- 2018: 100%
- 2019: 98.2%
- 2020: 100%
- 2021: 93.5%
This university offers a traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing track as well as an RN-to-BSN option.
Students can enter the BSN program in this freshman year if they are accepted, meaning there are no pre-nursing prerequisites to worry about. This removes the uncertainty around whether or not you’ll get accepted to the nursing program that’s common with programs requiring prerequisites.
The RN-to-BSN track is online and consists of seven-week blocked courses. You can study part time (2 classes per semester) or full time (4 classes per semester).
According to GradReports:
- Impressively, the employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- There was no median debt after graduation reported on GradReports
- Median alumni salary is $59,120 (based on 16 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 28/100 salary score
2. Radford University
The second school on our list of top-rated BSN programs in Virginia is Radford University with a five-year average NCLEX pass rate of 98.05%.
The pass rates for each year were:
- 2017: 96.3%
- 2018: 100%
- 2019: 96.1%
- 2020: 100%
- 2021: 97.9%
Radford University offers both a traditional BSN track on its main campus as well as an RN-to-BSN online pathway.
Most students in the traditional track enter their freshman year as Pre-nursing students before applying to the Nursing program in their sophomore year. However, some advanced students may be able to enter directly into the Nursing program.
The RN-to-BSN track, meanwhile, is for licensed Registered Nurses and can be completed in as little as 10 months.
It’s also worth noting that Radford has an accelerated and traditional BSN program at its Radford University Carilion location, but it doesn’t appear that the NCLEX pass rates were quite as impressive here.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
- Median debt after graduation is $25,000 (sample size not reported)
- Median alumni salary is $57,270 (based on 279 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 22/100 salary score
3. James Madison University
Next on our list of top-rated BSN programs in Virginia is James Madison University with a five-year average NCLEX pass rate of 96.10%.
The pass rates for each year were:
- 2017: 94.7%
- 2018: 97.2%
- 2019: 96.4%
- 2020: 98.3%
- 2021: 93.9%
James Madison University offers both a traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing as well as an RN-to-BSN completion program.
To enter this nursing program, you’ll first need to complete your first two years of prerequisites before you can apply. The program does boast a less than one to ten student faculty ratio, so this may be a good choice if student-faculty interaction is important to you.
The RN-to-BSN program is completed online and designed for practicing Registered Nurses. You may opt to attend part time or full time.
According to GradReports:
- Impressively, the employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- Median debt after graduation is $19,500 (based on 218 students)
- Median alumni salary is $64,320 (based on 261 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 45/100 salary score
4. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Fourth on our rankings of best BSN programs in Virginia is Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing with a five-year average NCLEX pass rate of 95.48%.
The pass rates for each year were:
- 2017: 96.5%
- 2018: 99.1%
- 2019: 95.2%
- 2020: 93.0%
- 2021: 94.6%
This school offers both a traditional BSN and an RN-to-BSN track.
According to their website, this program had 96% job placement for 2019-2020 graduates and a 97% retention rate for 2019-2020 students. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to complete your general education requirements before you can enroll in the BSN program.
The RN-to-BSN program is undersigned for working RNs and is completed 100% online. Most students take two courses a semester and graduate in two years. However, you can take a lighter course load and take longer if you prefer.
Unfortunately, there is no GradReports data for Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing. However, there is one review:
“Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing was a wonderful program. Classes were small. Direct relationships with your instructors. In-hospital clinicals early on in the program. Accepted Job right after I graduated. Last semester was in hospital shadowing. Not a college with parties. Tons of networking opportunities. Large focus of education was real-world. Several community activities and they have a yearly mission trip over seas! Smaller college but I would recommend it to anyway who wants to pursue a successful nursing career. No on campus housing or cafeterias.”
-Robin L (July 8, 2016)
5. Liberty University
The final school on our list of top-rated BSN programs in Virginia is Liberty University with a five-year average NCLEX pass rate of 95.21%.
The pass rates for each year were:
- 2017: 93.4%
- 2018: 93.7%
- 2019: 98.3%
- 2020: 96.0%
- 2021: 94.7%
Liberty University offers a diverse range of ways to get your BSN degree:
- Pre-licensure (BSN)
- Pre-Licensure (Global Studies)
- Accelerated Pre-licensure
- Post-licensure (RN-to-BSN)
- Post-licensure (Global Studies Cognate)
- Nursing Dual Degree (RN-to-BSN-to-MSN)
The Pre-licensure degrees all follow an in-person format. Uniquely, the Global Studies BSN prepares students to provide care for diverse populations in the UNited States, serve on medical mission trips, and serve as part of overseas medical teams.
The Accelerated Pre-licensure program is available to both veterans and those who already hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.
The Post-licensure and Dual degrees are all completed online. If you opt to pursue a Dual degree, you’ll have the option to focus on one of the following areas:
- Community Health
- Health Policy
- Nurse Administration
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Informatics
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 98%
- Median debt after graduation is $25,000 (based on 520 students)
- Median alumni salary is $64,120 (based on 555 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 45/100 salary score
What is the Average BSN Nurse Salary in Virginia?
The average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Virginia is $74,380.
The state currently employs about 66,450 RNs.
Is a BSN Program In Virginia Right For You?
If you want to get your BSN by attending in-person classes in Virginia, any of the schools listed above should make a fine choice.
However, keep in mind that you could get your degree faster and more affordably by enrolling in one of the top online BSN programs.
If you’re not sure where to start looking for an online program that fits your goals, then start your search here!
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
