20 Best Absn Programs in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026
Virginia Beach offers several excellent ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs for aspiring nurses who already hold a bachelor‘s degree in another field. These intensive programs allow students to transition into the nursing profession quickly by concentrating the curriculum into 12-18 months.
I have compiled the 20 best ABSN programs in Virginia Beach based on quality indicators such as accreditation, admissions selectivity, affordability, and graduate outcomes.
1. Old Dominion University
ODU‘s ABSN program allows students to complete degree requirements full-time in just 15 months. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art simulation labs, students receive personalized instruction from expert faculty.
- Rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Location: Norfolk, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Highly competitive (top 25% of applicant pool accepted)
- Tuition: In-state $31,794; Out-of-state $94,176
ODU graduates consistently score above national averages on the NCLEX-RN exam and 100% of recent graduates obtained nursing positions shortly after completing the program.
Visit Old Dominion University‘s Website
2. Sentara College of Health Sciences
With campuses in Chesapeake and Norfolk, Sentara offers an accelerated program option that leads to RN licensure in just 12 months of full-time study. Small cohort sizes facilitate close relationships between students and faculty.
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
- Program Length: 3 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $32,995
Sentara College graduates have achieved a 91% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate over the past decade. The program maintains strong partnerships with Sentara Healthcare facilities.
Visit Sentara College‘s Website
3. Hampton University
Hampton University‘s ABSN program allows students with bachelor‘s degrees in non-nursing fields to transition into professional nursing practice in just 12 months. Graduates have achieved an excellent 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Location: Hampton, VA
- Program Length: 4 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $39,300
Small class sizes, innovative simulation experiences, and passionate faculty contribute to Hampton‘s excellent outcomes. Graduates are prepared for RN licensure and enjoy a 100% job placement rate.
Visit Hampton University‘s Website
4. Norfolk State University
NSU offers an accelerated BSN program that can be completed full-time in just 15 months. Graduates consistently demonstrate strong preparation by achieving a 90% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensing exam over the past decade.
- Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Location: Norfolk, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: In-state $16,254; Out-of-state $30,074
Small class sizes, hands-on clinical experiences, and dedicated faculty contribute to positive outcomes for graduates. Most secure RN positions shortly after completing the program.
Visit Norfolk State University‘s Website
5. South University (Richmond Campus)
South University in Richmond provides an accelerated BSN program option that allows students to transition into the nursing profession in as little as 16 months. The curriculum provides a balance of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
- Rating: 4.1 out of 5
- Location: Glen Allen, VA
- Program Length: 16 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $58,995
South University limits ABSN cohort sizes to 24 students and provides valuable career support. Graduates have achieved an 87% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.
Visit South University‘s Website
6. Shenandoah University
Shenandoah offers an accelerated BSN program that starts each January and May on its Winchester campus. Students complete three consecutive semesters of full-time nursing coursework and clinical rotations.
- Rating: 4.0 out of 5
- Location: Winchester, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $47,735
Rigorous coursework, simulation labs, and a variety of quality clinical sites contribute strong first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rates above 90% for Shenandoah ABSN graduates.
Visit Shenandoah University‘s Website
7. Radford University
Radford offers an innovative 15-month accelerated BSN program with a hybrid curriculum blending online and in-person learning. Graduates have achieved an excellent 96% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate over the past decade.
- Rating: 4.0 out of 5
- Location: Radford, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: In-state $19,572; Out-of-state $34,478
Small class sizes, cutting-edge simulation technology, and dedicated faculty contribute to successful outcomes for Radford ABSN graduates. Most secure RN positions shortly after completing the program.
Visit Radford University‘s Website
8. Jefferson College Of Health Sciences
Jefferson College of Health Science, part of Carilion Clinic, provides an accelerated BSN program that admits students each January and May. The 15-month program includes coursework, simulation labs, and clinical rotations.
- Rating: 3.9 out of 5
- Location: Roanoke, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $43,500
Small cohort sizes ensure individual attention and support from expert nursing faculty. Jefferson‘s ABSN graduates consistently demonstrate strong preparation by passing the NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt.
Visit Jefferson College of Health Science‘s Website
9. James Madison University
JMU offers an accelerated BSN program that prepares graduates for professional nursing practice in just 12 months of intensive study. With a competitive admissions process, cohort sizes are small.
- Rating: 3.8 out of 5
- Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Highly competitive
- Tuition: In-state $25,368; Out-of-state $47,852
Cutting-edge simulation technology and rigorous coursework prepare JMU ABSN graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and transition smoothly into nursing practice.
Visit James Madison University‘s Website
10. George Mason University
George Mason University‘s ABSN program provides an immersive learning experience that allows students to enter the nursing profession in 12 months. Graduates consistently pass the NCLEX exam on their first attempt.
- Rating: 3.7 out of 5
- Location: Fairfax, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: In-state $32,960; Out-of-state $60,960
Comprehensive curricula, expert faculty, and hands-on clinical practice prepare graduates to provide excellent patient care and meet current standards of professional nursing practice.
Visit George Mason University‘s Website
11. Lynchburg University
Lynchburg University offers an accelerated BSN program that immerses students into nursing coursework, advanced simulation scenarios, and clinical rotations at Centra Health facilities.
- Rating: 3.6 out of 5
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Program Length: 15 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $50,230
Rigorous course loads, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty contribute strong first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for graduates. Most secure RN jobs shortly after completion.
Visit Lynchburg University‘s Website
12. Eastern Mennonite University
EMU offers an accelerated 15-month BSN degree program tailored for students who already hold bachelor‘s degrees in non-nursing fields. Graduates consistently secure RN licensure and transition smoothly into nursing practice.
- Rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $32,390
Small class sizes facilitate close collaboration between students and allow individualized support from expert nursing faculty guiding the program.
Visit Eastern Mennonite University‘s Website
13. Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU School of Nursing offers an accelerated BSN program that prepares students for RN licensure and professional practice in just 12 months of intensive study. The program admits students each summer.
- Rating: 3.4 out of 5
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Highly competitive
- Tuition: In-state $26,000; Out-of-state $50,500
VCU Nursing graduates have achieved excellent first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rates exceeding 90% for the past decade. Graduates obtain RN positions at leading healthcare organizations.
Visit Virginia Commonwealth University‘s Website
14. University of Virginia (UVA)
The UVA accelerated BSN program offers a rigorous 15-month curriculum tailored for students who enter nursing as a second degree. Graduates consistently secure RN licensure and transition smoothly into practice.
- Rating: 3.3 out of 5
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Admissions: Highly competitive
- Tuition: In-state $32,800; Out-of-state $63,700
Expert faculty, challenging coursework, and extensive hands-on clinical experience prepare graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain positions at leading healthcare organizations.
Visit University of Virginia‘s Website
15. Liberty University
Liberty‘s accelerated BSN program provides an immersive educational experience emphasizing evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning skills. Students develop professional nursing competencies within a faith-based learning environment.
- Rating: 3.2 out of 5
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Program Length: 15 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $40,000
Rigorous courses, interactive simulation scenarios, and clinical rotations contribute strong first-time NCLEX pass rates for graduates. Most obtain RN positions shortly after completing the program.
Visit Liberty University‘s Website
16. Marymount University
Marymount in Arlington, VA offers an accelerated second degree BSN program that prepares students for professional nursing licensure and practice. Graduates consistently pass the NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt.
- Rating: 3.1 out of 5
- Location: Arlington, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $47,070
Marymount Nursing limits cohort sizes to facilitate personalized instruction and support. Graduates obtain RN jobs locally and throughout the region shortly after completing the program.
Visit Marymount University‘s Website
17. Chamberlain University
Chamberlain‘s Virginia Beach campus provides an accelerated BSN degree option that prepares graduates to meet current demands in nursing practice. The three-semester program includes hands-on clinical training and advanced simulation.
- Rating: 3.0 out of 5
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Less competitive
- Tuition: $67,950
Small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and rigorous coursework contribute consistent NCLEX-RN exam pass rates for graduates exceeding 85% over the past decade.
Visit Chamberlain University‘s Website
18. Southside Virginia Community College
For an affordable accelerated BSN option, SVCC offers the RN to BSN pathway allowing licensed RNs to complete bachelor’s degree requirements fully online in just 12 months.
- Rating: 4.0 out of 5
- Location: Alberta, VA
- Program Length: 4 semesters
- Admissions: Less competitive
- Tuition: $7,956
With tailored course schedules for working nurses and affordable tuition, SVCC provides a flexible and cost-effective route to earn a BSN degree and advance professionally.
Visit Southside Virginia Community College‘s Website
19. Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
DSLCC offers an online LPN to RN bridge program allowing licensed LPNs to complete RN education requirements in just 12 months of full-time study. Graduates consistenly pass the NCLEX-RN exam on the first attempt.
- Rating: 3.8 out of 5
- Location: Clifton Forge, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Moderately competitive
- Tuition: $5,170
Expert nursing faculty, small cohort sizes, hands-on clinical training, and affordable tuition make DSLCC‘s program an excellent "accelerated" pathway option for career advancement.
Visit Dabney S. Lancaster Community College‘s Website
20. Germanna Community College
Germanna CC offers an accelerated career mobility pathway allowing LPNs to transition into RN practice more rapidly. The competitive program admits just 36 students per cohort.
- Rating: 3.7 out of 5
- Location: Fredericksburg, VA
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admissions: Highly competitive
- Tuition: $5,200
Rigorous coursework, expert instruction, hands-on clinical practice, and NCLEX-RN exam preparation contribute consistent licensure exam pass rates exceeding 90% for graduates.