1. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia School of Nursing offers an accelerated nursing program that prepares current registered nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). This program allows registered nurses to complete their bachelor’s degree in two years part-time. Classes are presented in a hybrid format. Students attend classes on campus in Charlottesville, Richmond, or Fairfax once a month, and all other learning occurs online. The program is for licensed registered nurses who seek to expand their knowledge and skills, who wish to achieve leadership roles and greater professional mobility, and who are considering graduate study in nursing. If admitted to the program, students are guaranteed a job interview with the University of Virginia Medical Center.
- Tuition: $10,016
- Graduation rate: 94%
2. George Mason University
George Mason University offers an accelerated second degree nursing program. The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 12-month, full-time program. Admission is available to students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. The pre-licensure program prepares students to become licensed registered nurses. The degree provides successful applicants an opportunity to experience nursing in a variety of clinical settings throughout the National Capitol area.
- Tuition: $9,510
- Graduation rate: 69%
3. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN program. The College of Nursing welcomes registered nurses from all hospitals and care settings, particularly nurses employed at Bon Secours hospitals who wish to obtain their bachelor’s degree. The online format allows students to log on to courses any time of the day, giving them the flexibility to continue their work and personal activities. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time and can complete the degree in as few as three semesters. Students have access to faculty through email, online office hours, and video chat. A Dedicated Student Success Advisor provides learning resources to help students make the shift from traditional classroom instruction to web-based education.
- Tuition: $12,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
4. Sentara College of Health Sciences
Sentara College of Health Sciences offers students a choice of accelerated nursing programs in VA. A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing is available alongside an online RN to BSN, offering accelerated pathways for both existing registered nurses and traditional students. Students have access to award-winning facilities providing crucial care to real patients and working shoulder-to-shoulder with renowned healthcare providers. Students will learn in classrooms, skills labs, clinical settings, and online. Students also gain 900 hours of hands-on experience, surpassing the requirements for licensure or of other programs. The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can be completed in 2.5 years after prerequisite requirements are met at another institution, while the online RN to BSN is part-time with no summer classes.
- Tuition: $13,030
- Graduation rate: 90%
5. Centra College
Centra College offers an online RN to BSN program. Students can complete the accelerated program in three semesters over a single year. The program features a shorter overall program length, easier transition to higher education, and increased focus on nursing research and leadership. The program offers small class sizes with an average of 20 students, with an 89% average job placement rate for graduates.
- Tuition: $11,027
- Graduation rate: 65%
6. Radford University
The Waldron College of Health and Human Services at Radford University offers an accelerated nursing program. The degree follows a condensed timeline of four semesters over 16 months, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The accelerated program is designed for students with undergraduate baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines seeking to transition into nursing. The curriculum integrates traditional classroom work with laboratory, clinical, and hands-on learning, and is ideal for students looking to fast-track their careers. The nurse-patient learning model emphasizes patient-centered care, interprofessionalism, and critical thinking in an educational setting where classes are small and the student-to-faculty ratio does not exceed 10 to 1 in clinical settings.
- Tuition: $11,416
- Graduation rate: 58%
7. Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University offers students a choice of three accelerated nursing programs in VA. The pre-licensure program is ideal for students from a variety of educational backgrounds, including high school graduates, those with associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing, and military and civilians who are making career changes. The BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program is an entry-level program that allows students to complete their degrees while remaining in their community. The post-licensure track is for those who are already licensed as registered nurses and who want to advance their careers. All three tracks lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students participate in classes, laboratory experiences. and clinical experiences under the guidance of highly competent, qualified faculty. The accelerated program can be completed in as few as five semesters, or two years part-time.
- Tuition: $10,680
- Graduation rate: 51%
8. Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University offers both a traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The accelerated option is available to students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The accelerated Bachelor of Science track is faster-paced and more rigorous than the traditional degree. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurse licensure.
- Tuition: $12,094
- Graduation rate: 61%
9. Eastern Mennonite University
Students at Eastern Mennonite University can pursue an accelerated second degree nursing program. The degree takes 15 months to complete and is available to students who already possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The accelerated program begins in May each year and ends the following August. Students benefit from small summer courses, mentoring and one-on-one relationships with faculty and other students, and experience in clinical rotations and a variety of nursing settings. Summer study means students complete the program earlier than a traditional second degree.
- Tuition: $38,850
- Graduation rate: 85%
10. George Washington University
George Washington University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing which can be completed in 15 months. The program is available to military veterans as well as students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The accelerated timeline is ideal for those who can relocate to the Washington area to attend classes and clinical rotations, want to work in a high-intensity environment that requires fast-paced critical thinking skills, and commit to full-time attendance. Students benefit from access to international experiences as well as a Simulation Learning and Innovation Center boasting more than 10,000 square feet of different clinical environments. Graduates from the program exceed the national average in pass rate in the licensure exam for practicing nurses.
- Tuition: $58,550
- Graduation rate: 84%
11. ECPI University
The Medical Cereers Institute at ECPI University offers a number of accelerated nursing programs in VA. Programs are available for current registered nurses as well as those seeking to enter the profession. Students can choose from accelerated nursing programs including a Diploma in Practical Nursing, an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator. Students learn to be effective communicators and skilled collaborators and to use clinical reasoning even in emergency situations. Programs are designed to equip students with the most current knowledge and skills needed to meet the prevention, health maintenance, health promotion, and restorative needs of the patient. The skills-based laboratory environment provides students with a realistic setting in which to learn both the art and science of nursing with a focus on the application of theory to clinical practice.
- Tuition: $17,479
- Graduation rate: 44%
11. Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University offers a 15 month Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing track designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline. This innovative program prepares students with the necessary skills and knowledge for entry-level nursing positions in a variety of diverse health care settings. Classes are offered at our Winchester and Loudoun campuses and cohorts begin in the fall and spring semesters. Support from faculty and classmates, hands-on experiences at clinical sites, top-notch simulation technology, small class sizes, and limitless opportunities – that’s what you’ll get as you study nursing at Shenandoah University. We are proud that our students’ NCLEX pass-rates are among the highest in the state of Virginia (BSN class of 2020 was 97.2% overall).
- Tuition: $33,140
- ASD Graduation rate: 85%
13. Marymount University
Marymount University offers an accelerated second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This program is only for applicants with a previous bachelor’s degree. Students can complete the program in four semesters full-time or nine semesters part-time. Marymount University provides a welcoming, dynamic, close-knit community just miles away from the nation’s capital.
- Tuition: $33,200
- Graduation rate: 3%
14. Eastern Virginia Career College
Students can pursue an accelerated nursing program at Eastern Virginia Career College. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a one-year program that allows graduates to pursue careers in nursing. Students learn how to promote, maintain, and restore the health of clients in a variety of settings. The program’s curriculum provides high quality theoretical, laboratory, and clinical experiences, providing students with opportunities to develop as nurses and as individuals. General Education Courses are required, including College English, Anatomy and Physiology, Humanities, Behavioral Science, and College Mathematics.
- Tuition: 27,275
- Graduation rate: 27%
Still looking for accelerated nursing programs in VA? Use our Degree Finder tool to help you find the right fit.
Our Ranking Methodology
To determine how to rank each college, we researched and evaluated each school’s estimated annual cost of tuition and on-time graduation rate. We used in-state tuition rates where available. We took annual tuition rates directly from each school’s website and graduation data from Google. We sorted each school first by the cost of tuition (lower is better) and then by graduation rate (higher is better), letting each value make up equal portions (50%) of the final rankings.
If you work for one of the schools we ranked and you notice an error in the information we used to rank you, please feel free to contact us and let us know so we can make a correction.
