Compare 17 Nursing Science. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $70,222.
With top graduates earning $78,648, Nursing Science stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $8K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Marymount University's Nursing Science program leads with graduates earning $78,648, followed closely by George Mason University at $78,115. The average across Virginia's 17 programs is $70,222, yet these outcomes reflect program-specific factors rather than overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. George Mason graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 4.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Old Dominion leads with an 11.5% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | $78,648 | 112 | $25,000 | Excellent | $45,008 | Challenging |
| #2 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $78,115 | 167 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good |
| #3 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $76,840 | 196 | $24,000 | Excellent | $18,866 | Good |
| #4 | $76,013 | 52 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,240 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Eastern Mennonite UniversityPrivate | $73,924 | 135 | $24,813 | Excellent | $22,187 | Manageable |
| #6 | Hampton UniversityPrivate | $73,486 | 23 | $25,442 | Excellent | $74,299 | High |
| #7 | $72,437 | 100 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $72,428 | 216 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Manageable | |
| #9 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $71,473 | 252 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable |
| #10 | Bluefield UniversityPrivate | $71,013 | 29 | $21,855 | Excellent | $21,200 | Manageable |
| #11 | Shenandoah UniversityPrivate | $70,543 | 109 | $25,000 | Excellent | $46,387 | Challenging |
| #12 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $70,066 | 369 | $24,500 | Excellent | $16,398 | Manageable |
| #13 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $66,818 | 47 | $25,000 | Excellent | $36,395 | Challenging |
| #14 | University Of LynchburgPrivate | $64,938 | 43 | $27,000 | Good | $31,450 | Challenging |
| #15 | Averett UniversityPrivate | $63,961 | 9 | $25,000 | Good | $28,045 | Challenging |
| #16 | Radford UniversityPublic | $62,098 | 219 | $24,000 | Good | $22,158 | Manageable |
| #17 | $50,970 | 22 | $16,750 | Good | $15,555 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
