Virginia offers nine accelerated nursing pathways spanning a remarkably wide range — from $23,600 at a public research university to over $93,000 at a small Christian college, and from 12 months to two full years.
- Three programs are public universities with in-state tuition well under $30,000.
- Two admit students who don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree.
- One limits its cohort to 15 students and offers clinical mission trips.
- Two programs are in the DC metro with access to the region’s major health systems.
For career changers comparing second degree nursing programs in Virginia, the geographic spread — Norfolk, Harrisonburg, Fairfax, Lynchburg, Arlington, Radford, Winchester, Charlottesville — means location often filters the list before price or format does.
Virginia ABSN Programs at a Glance
| School | Location | Est. Cost (In-State) | Duration | Min. GPA | NCLEX Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fairfax | $24K | 12 months | 2.85 overall; 3.0 science | Not published | |
Radford / Roanoke | $26K | 16 months | 3.0 | Not published | |
Norfolk | Below $50K for degree-holders | 20 months | 3.0 | Not published | |
Norfolk | $67K | 16 months | 2.8 | Not published | |
Lynchburg | $53K–$62K | 19 months (nursing seq.) | 3.25 | Not published | |
Charlottesville | $60K | 2 years | 2.75 (52+ credits; no bachelor’s req.) | 96%+ (Class of 2024) | |
Winchester | $76K | 15 months | 3.0 (prereq GPA) | 100% (2024) | |
Arlington | $86K | 16 months (or part-time) | 2.5 (2.8 science GPA) | 88%+ (5-yr avg) | |
Harrisonburg | $94K | 15 months | 3.0 (prereq GPA) | 95%+ |
Best Virginia ABSN Programs by Goal
- Lowest in-state cost: George Mason University — ~$23,600 in-state, the most affordable accelerated nursing option in Virginia.
- Fastest finish: George Mason University — the only Virginia ABSN that completes in 12 months.
- Most scheduling flexibility: Averett University — three annual cohort starts (January, April/May, August), the only program in Virginia with more than two entry points per year.
- Lowest GPA floor / no entrance exam: Marymount University — 2.5 minimum GPA and no TEAS requirement (suspended as of Fall 2024), the most accessible academic bar in Virginia.
- No bachelor’s degree required: Averett University (60+ non-nursing credits) or University of Virginia (52+ credits; 2-year transfer BSN) — neither requires a completed four-year degree.
- Online or hybrid format: Marymount University — the only Virginia ABSN with a remote-compatible format and a part-time track option.
- Best published NCLEX outcomes: Shenandoah University — 100% first-time pass rate in 2024; UVA (96%+) and EMU (95%+) follow.
- DC metro clinical access: Marymount University — named partners include Inova, MedStar, Virginia Hospital Center, Sibley Memorial, and Children’s National.
- Smallest cohort / most personalized: Liberty University — 15 students per cohort, the most selective and smallest accelerated nursing program in Virginia.
- Trauma center clinical access: Radford University — rotations at two Magnet-designated hospitals with Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers, at ~$25,904 in-state.
- 100% employment at graduation: Old Dominion University — 100% employment for graduates who seek jobs, with a dedicated Telehealth Center for technology-forward training.
- Faith-integrated curriculum: Liberty University (Christian worldview) or Eastern Mennonite University (Anabaptist-Mennonite “sacred covenant” framework).
- Clinical mission trips: Liberty University — the only Virginia ABSN with optional clinical mission trips and distant clinical site placements.
How to Choose the Best ABSN Program
TL;DR: Quick-Match Guide
Choose Averett University if you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree or need three start dates per year.
Averett states it is the only ABSN program in Virginia that admits students with 60+ non-nursing college credits — no four-year degree required. Three annual cohorts (January, April/May, August) in Norfolk start clinical rotations from the very first semester, with online theory and in-person labs and clinicals at the learning center.
Choose Eastern Mennonite University if values-based nursing education in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition resonates — and you can absorb the highest cost in the state.
EMU’s “sacred covenant” framework integrates justice, advocacy, grace, and love through the curriculum, with close faculty mentoring in a small-cohort environment and an NCLEX pass rate above 95%. The January 15 application deadline for a May start is among the earliest in Virginia.
Choose George Mason University if the combination of a 12-month timeline, the lowest in-state cost in Virginia ($23,600), and DC-area clinical access is the priority.
As Virginia’s largest public research university with 40+ years of nursing education and 7,000+ alumni, GMU’s accelerated second-degree BSN is one of the most efficient value propositions in the state. The first interdisciplinary VR simulation lab in Virginia supports high-fidelity skills preparation.
Choose Liberty University if you want a deeply faith-integrated program with a cohort of only 15 students and clinical experiences that extend beyond standard hospital rotations.
Liberty offers optional clinical mission trips and distant clinical site placements — giving students unusual geographic and experiential flexibility alongside an SSH-accredited simulation center. Only 15 students are selected per cohort, making it the most selective program in this guide by enrollment size.
Choose Marymount University if you’re in the DC/Northern Virginia metro, carry a 2.5 GPA, and want the most accessible accelerated nursing entry bar in Virginia.
Marymount suspended the TEAS requirement, accepts a 2.5 cumulative GPA, offers both hybrid and online tracks with a part-time option, and has two annual starts (fall and spring). Clinical partners include Inova, MedStar, Virginia Hospital Center, Sibley Memorial, and Children’s National — the strongest named clinical network in the state.
Choose Old Dominion University if technology-forward nursing education and 100% employment at graduation are the benchmarks.
ODU’s Ellmer School of Nursing includes a dedicated Telehealth Center — a rare feature in pre-licensure nursing curricula — alongside standardized patient experiences and small clinical sections for direct faculty coaching. For students with a prior degree, the actual tuition cost for the 66-credit nursing major is substantially lower than the published full-degree total.
Choose Radford University if in-state affordability and access to Magnet-designated Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers in the Roanoke region are the priority.
At roughly $25,904 in-state for the 16-month nursing sequence, Radford is the second most affordable accelerated nursing option in Virginia, with campuses in both Radford and Roanoke. Fall and spring admission windows provide two annual entry points to the upper-division nursing major.
Choose Shenandoah University if a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate (2024), small clinical groups, and INOVA-system clinical access in the Winchester area align with your goals.
Shenandoah’s 15-month accelerated second-degree BSN uses close faculty support and high- and low-fidelity simulation throughout, with an Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Nursing course embedded in the final term — a curricular element not found at any other Virginia program.
Choose the University of Virginia if you’re a Virginia resident without a completed four-year degree who wants a flagship credential with a 96%+ NCLEX pass rate.
UVA’s 2-Year Accelerated BSN Transfer Program requires only 52 completed college credits before enrollment — not a bachelor’s degree — making it accessible to students earlier in their academic journey. The two-year timeline is the longest in this guide, but the INACSL-endorsed simulation center and UVA’s institutional prestige are matched by a resident tuition of approximately $59,262.
Two Programs That Don’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree
Most Virginia accelerated nursing programs require a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree for admission. Two are meaningfully different.
Averett University admits students with a minimum of 60 non-nursing college credits — the school explicitly positions itself as the only Virginia ABSN program with this alternative pathway.
UVA’s 2-Year Accelerated BSN Transfer Program requires 52 completed college credits before a May enrollment but does not require a bachelor’s degree — it’s a transfer pathway from community college or two years of university work.
Career changers who built their first career through an associate degree or have significant college coursework without a four-year degree should investigate both programs before assuming Virginia requires a prior bachelor’s to accelerate into nursing.
Program Length and Format
Fastest program (12 months): George Mason University’s accelerated second-degree BSN is the only Virginia program completing in 12 months. The fall-only cohort covers the full nursing sequence across fall, spring, and summer semesters in Fairfax, combining small clinical sections with simulation, and clinical rotations at hospitals and community agencies across the DC metro region.
15-month programs: Eastern Mennonite University and Shenandoah University both run 15 months across four consecutive semesters. EMU uses two condensed summer terms bookending a fall and spring semester. Shenandoah progresses through four terms with a final Emergency Preparedness capstone semester.
Format differences: Most Virginia programs are fully in-person.
Averett blends online nursing theory with in-person labs, simulation, and clinicals at its Norfolk learning center.
Marymount offers hybrid delivery and a fully online option with three on-campus residencies in Virginia — the only Virginia program with a truly remote-compatible format, and the only one offering a part-time track for students who need a reduced course load.
Most Affordable Programs
George Mason University — ~$23,600 in-state: GMU’s 12-month second-degree BSN is the most affordable accelerated nursing option in Virginia for in-state students and one of the most affordable in this entire series.
Radford University — ~$25,904 in-state: Radford’s four-semester in-state estimate covers tuition plus mandatory fees across 16 months at two campuses, with Level 1 and Level 2 Magnet hospital clinical access included.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Every Virginia ABSN program requires Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Statistics before enrollment — the standard national pre-nursing prerequisite core.
Psychology, Sociology, and a nutrition or lifespan course appear across most checklists.
No Virginia program requires a TEAS or HESI as a mandatory admission component for all applicants, with one exception: Averett requires a minimum 65% TEAS score, and ODU notes it may use a pre-admissions HESI.
Marymount explicitly suspended its TEAS requirement starting Fall 2024.
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
| School | Start Date(s) | Application Deadline / Window | Admissions Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
January, April/May, August | Contact program; advisor-guided process | Three annual cycles | |
Fall and Spring | Last Friday in May (Fall); Last Friday in September (Spring) | Two annual cycles; rolling review per cycle | |
Fall or Spring (nursing major) | Jan 5–Mar 6 (Fall); Aug 5–Oct 10 (Spring) | Two annual windows; competitive | |
Fall and Spring (priority) | February 15 (Fall priority); October 1 (Spring priority) | Two annual priority deadlines; may close early | |
Fall only | End of spring semester (contact program) | One annual cycle; highly competitive | |
Fall only | February 15 | One annual cycle | |
Summer | December 1–February 15 | One annual cycle; 15 seats | |
May (mid) | January 15 | One annual cycle | |
May | October 1 (portal opens August 1) | One annual cycle |
Maximum scheduling flexibility: Averett is the only Virginia program with three annual starts, guided by an advisor-managed enrollment process. For career changers who can’t time prerequisites to a single fall or spring deadline, Averett’s January, April/May, and August windows offer meaningful alternatives.
Shenandoah’s early-close risk: Shenandoah publishes priority deadlines (February 15 for fall, October 1 for spring) but may stop accepting applications once seats fill — applicants who miss the priority deadline risk losing admission for that cycle entirely rather than simply receiving delayed consideration.
Liberty’s narrow application window: Liberty’s December 1 to February 15 application window admits only 15 students per cohort — the smallest cohort in any Virginia program. Early submission matters, as 15 seats can fill before the published deadline closes.
UVA’s extended lead time: UVA’s October 1 deadline for a May start means applicants must have prerequisites substantially complete seven months before enrollment, with the portal opening August 1. Combined with the two-year program length, this requires the earliest long-range planning of any Virginia program.
Clinical Training Structure
Virginia’s programs range from roughly $23,600 to over $93,000 in cost and 12 months to two years in length. Clinical structure is one of the most meaningful differentiators in this state — from the DC metro’s major health systems to Magnet trauma centers in the Shenandoah Valley to clinical mission trips that take students outside Virginia entirely.
Programs with published clinical hour counts: Averett logs 585 total clinical hours — 488 direct-care hours at healthcare facilities plus 97 simulation hours at its Norfolk learning center.
EMU accumulates approximately 583 hours across its clinical course sequence, distributed across long-term care, acute care, medical-surgical, behavioral health, pediatrics, maternity, critical care, and community rotations.
Liberty delivers 550+ clinical hours alongside an SSH-accredited simulation center.
George Mason logs 496 clinical hours at hospitals, community health centers, and schools across the National Capital Area.
Radford delivers 500+ direct-care hours.
Named clinical partners and market access: Marymount publishes the most comprehensive named partner list of any Virginia program — Inova, MedStar, Virginia Hospital Center, Sibley Memorial Hospital, and Children’s National Medical Center — representing the breadth of the DC metro’s healthcare market.
Shenandoah names INOVA facilities and the Valley Health System as primary partners.
Radford places students at two Magnet-designated hospitals with Level 1 and Level 2 trauma center capabilities.
Technology-forward training: ODU’s Telehealth Center is unique among all programs in this series — preparing nurses for technology-based patient care delivery that is increasingly central to modern practice but rarely addressed in pre-licensure curricula.
George Mason operates the first interdisciplinary Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab in Virginia, supporting immersive skills training before and during clinical rotations.
Non-traditional clinical options: Liberty University offers both distant clinical site options — allowing students outside Lynchburg to complete rotations closer to home — and clinical mission trips that extend training beyond Virginia. It’s the only Virginia program with both options available, comparable to UW-Oshkosh’s Guatemala international clinical in the Wisconsin guide.
Virginia ABSN Program Summaries
Averett University ABSN Program
Norfolk | $66,475 | 16 Months
Averett University offers a 16-month hybrid accelerated BSN at its Norfolk Learning Center, with online theory paired with in-person labs and clinicals. It's among Virginia's most accessible entries — the school says it's the only ABSN in the state that admits with 60 college credits rather than requiring a completed bachelor's.
Why Averett University Stands Out
- Accessible entry: admits with a non-nursing bachelor's OR at least 60 non-nursing college credits (cited as the only such Virginia ABSN).
- Reachable 2.8 GPA threshold; three start dates a year (January, April/May, August).
- Clinicals begin in the first semester; 585 total clinical hours (488 direct-care + 97 simulation).
- 16-month hybrid format — online nursing theory with in-person labs, simulation, and clinicals.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Eastern Mennonite University ABSN Program
Harrisonburg | $93,340 | 15 Months
Eastern Mennonite University offers a 15-month accelerated second-degree BSN in Harrisonburg, running mid-May to August. It pairs small classes and close faculty mentoring with a values-based "sacred covenant" framework and a first-time NCLEX pass rate above 95%.
Why Eastern Mennonite University Stands Out
- Values-based education grounded in a Christian "sacred covenant" framework (justice, advocacy, grace, love), with spiritual and holistic care woven through.
- Small summer classes and close faculty mentoring supporting a fast 15-month pace.
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate above 95%.
- Clinical rotations across long-term, acute, behavioral health, pediatric, maternity, critical care, and community settings.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
George Mason University ABSN Program
Fairfax | $24,000 | 12 Months
George Mason University offers a 12-month accelerated second-degree BSN at Virginia's largest public research university, in Fairfax. It pairs affordable in-state tuition with 496 clinical hours across the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia healthcare market.
Why George Mason University Stands Out
- Affordable in-state public value (~$23,600 in-state) at Virginia's largest public research university.
- 496 clinical hours across hospitals, community centers, and schools throughout the National Capital Area.
- Low 1:8 faculty-to-student ratio in clinical settings; Virginia's first interdisciplinary VR and Simulation Lab.
- 12-month, full-time pre-licensure program with a 40+ year track record and 7,000+ nursing alumni.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Liberty University ABSN Program
Lynchburg | $52,290 | 19 months
Liberty University offers a residential accelerated pre-licensure BSN in Lynchburg for second-degree students, with the nursing sequence running about 19 months from a summer start. It integrates a Christian worldview throughout and stands out for clinical mission trips and a small, selective 15-student cohort.
Why Liberty University Stands Out
- Faith-integrated nursing education with a Christian worldview woven through the curriculum.
- Distinctive clinical options including clinical mission trips and distant clinical sites.
- Small, selective cohort — just 15 students — for personalized attention.
- More than 550 clinical hours; SSH-accredited simulation center.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Marymount University ABSN Program
Arlington | $85,760 | 16 Months
Marymount University offers a 16-month accelerated second-degree BSN in Arlington, available in hybrid or online formats and on full-time or part-time tracks. It pairs flexible delivery with clinical placements across the Washington region's major health systems and an accessible, TEAS-free admission process.
Why Marymount University Stands Out
- Flexible delivery: hybrid or online formats, plus full-time (16 months) or part-time pathways.
- Premier DC-area clinical partners — Inova, MedStar, Virginia Hospital Center, Sibley Memorial, and Children's National.
- Accessible admission: 2.5 cumulative GPA, no TEAS required, two entry points a year (fall and spring).
- Five-year average NCLEX-RN pass rate above 88%; online pathway requires only three on-campus residencies.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Old Dominion University ABSN Program
Norfolk | $50,640 | 20 months
Old Dominion University offers a full-time, five-semester pre-licensure BSN nursing major in Norfolk, entered after completing prerequisites and 30+ credits. It pairs tech-forward training — a dedicated Telehealth Center and simulation with standardized patients — with small clinical sections and a 100% employment rate for graduates who seek jobs.
Why Old Dominion University Stands Out
- Tech-forward training: a dedicated Telehealth Center plus a state-of-the-art simulation center with standardized patients.
- Small clinical sections for direct faculty coaching; community-based clinical experiences.
- 100% employment rate for graduates who seek jobs at graduation.
- Affordable in-state public tuition; students entering with prior credits pay only for ODU credits.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia State Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Radford University ABSN Program
Radford, Roanoke | $25,904 | 16 Months
Radford University offers an accelerated 16-month pre-licensure BSN at its Radford and Roanoke locations, entered after prerequisites and general education. It pairs affordable in-state public tuition with clinical access to two large Magnet hospitals featuring Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers.
Why Radford University Stands Out
- Affordable in-state public value (~$25,904 in-state for four semesters, tuition plus mandatory fees).
- Clinical rotations at two large Magnet hospitals with Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers, plus community hospitals.
- 500+ direct-care hours across acute care, long-term care, and community settings, spanning all age groups.
- 16-month accelerated pathway (four consecutive semesters) with a state-of-the-art simulation center.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
Shenandoah University ABSN Program
Winchester | $75,880 | 12 Months
Shenandoah University offers a ~15-month accelerated second-degree BSN in Winchester, taught through small classes and small clinical groups with close faculty support. It posted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2024, with clinical training at INOVA and Valley Health System hospitals.
Why Shenandoah University Stands Out
- 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024, with strong pass rates in prior years.
- Small classes, small clinical groups, and close faculty support throughout.
- Clinical rotations at INOVA facilities, Valley Health System hospitals, and regional community sites.
- ~15-month, four-semester second-degree pathway designed to use prior-degree credits.
- CCNE-accredited and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution).
University of Virginia ABSN Program
Charlottesville | $59,262 | 24 months
The University of Virginia offers a 2-year accelerated BSN transfer program at the state flagship in Charlottesville, for students with about two years of college who do not yet hold a bachelor's degree. It pairs a 96%+ first-time NCLEX pass rate (Class of 2024) with an INACSL-endorsed simulation center and affordable in-state tuition.
Why University of Virginia Stands Out
- Virginia's premier public research university, with a structured 2-year accelerated transfer pathway.
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate above 96% for the BSN Class of 2024.
- INACSL-endorsed Clinical Simulation & Learning Center for realistic skills practice.
- Clinical placements across Charlottesville, central Virginia, and nearby regions.
- CCNE-accredited (through 2034) and Virginia Board of Nursing-approved (SACSCOC institution); ~$59,262 in-state.