Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- 33
- Schools
- $50,899
- Avg. Earnings
- 51%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,671
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,327
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $32,568 at the low end to $86,863 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Paul D Camp Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,031 against $4,126 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Patrick & Henry Community College, at $4,102 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students, well above the 51% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Paul D Camp Community College: graduates owe only 0.19× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Radford University ($53,739 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Virginia-Main Campus ($86,863). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Patrick & Henry Community College ($4,102/yr) and Shenandoah University ($30,298/yr) produce graduates earning $33,323 and $58,433 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $26,196 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Paul D Camp Community College outperforms University of Virginia-Main Campus: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Paul D Camp Community College and University of Virginia-Main Campus. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $50K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Radford University #1 overall | $53,739 ▲ +6% vs avg | $14,578 | 49% | 82 |
| 2 James Madison University #2 overall | $69,954 ▲ +37% vs avg | $23,322 | 80% | 82 |
| 3 University of Virginia's College at Wise #3 overall | $45,325 ▼ -11% vs avg | $9,210 | 48% | 80 |
| $40,752 ▼ -20% vs avg | $5,963 | 37% | 79 | |
| $51,516 ▲ +1% vs avg | $22,925 | 46% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
This analysis ranks 33 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,899 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 51% and an average net price of $17,671.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Paul D Camp Community College — Net Price: $4,126 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Virginia-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $86,863
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$50,074
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$19,066
Median net price
1.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Start with the medians across these 33 schools. Graduates earn a median of $50,074 ten years after enrollment, or about $2,074 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 48%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $19,066 a year with about $24,250 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 35% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.6%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Radford University tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $50,074 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Radford University lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,739 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
James Madison University lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #3 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $45,325 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Piedmont Virginia Community College lands at #4 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,752 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Averett University lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $51,516 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,925 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Marymount University lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $67,516 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,137 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Germanna Community College lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,644 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Mary Washington lands at #8 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,613 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,667 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $54,869 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,588 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
George Mason University lands at #10 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,343 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Old Dominion University lands at #11 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,638 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Longwood University lands at #12 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,347 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Shenandoah University lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $58,433 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,298 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #14 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,128 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,433 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Northern Virginia Community College lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $53,557 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,919 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #16
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $86,863 a decade after enrolling, 71% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Ferrum College lands at #17 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $44,296 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,082 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Virginia Wesleyan University lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $50,074 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,676 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Mary Baldwin University lands at #19 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,427 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,756 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hampton University lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $59,159 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,319 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Emory & Henry University lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,385 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,061 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Norfolk State University lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,666 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Paul D Camp Community College lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $36,031 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,126 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Hollins University lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,075 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,896 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Tidewater Community College lands at #25 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,349 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,762 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
University of Lynchburg lands at #26 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $56,380 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,235 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Virginia Peninsula Community College lands at #27 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,996 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,012 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Randolph-Macon College lands at #28 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,448 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,866 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach lands at #29 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (56/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,038 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Virginia Union University lands at #30 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Patrick & Henry Community College lands at #31 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $33,323 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,102 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Bluefield University lands at #32 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $48,896 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,573 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Liberty University lands at #33 with a 51/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 33 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing a nursing program is a big decision for students and families, especially in Virginia, where a variety of schools stand out for their commitment to education and career outcomes. With 34 institutions on this list, you'll find options that range from community colleges to large research universities. Each of these schools prepares students for a vital role in healthcare, a field that continues to grow and evolve.
The best nursing colleges in Virginia distinguish themselves through key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. For instance, high graduation rates and strong post-graduation earnings can indicate a program that not only educates but also positions students for success in the workforce. As you explore the schools below, consider how these factors might align with your personal goals and circumstances.
Take the University of Virginia-Main Campus and Piedmont Virginia Community College as examples. The University has impressive earnings of $86,863 and a graduation rate of 95%, while Piedmont Virginia Community College shows a more modest earning potential of $40,752 with a 37% graduation rate. This contrast highlights the tradeoffs between different types of institutions and their potential return on investment.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 25 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.6%. Norfolk State University leads the group at 3.4%, with Marymount University (3.4%) and George Mason University (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Paul D Camp Community College leads at 24.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 22.3% across this list. University of Mary Washington posts the highest success rate at 60.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.51 against a national benchmark of 1.0. James Madison University reaches 1.78, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The University of Virginia-Main Campus and Radford University illustrate a noteworthy disparity in outcomes. While UVA boasts an average earning of $86,863 and an impressive graduation rate of 95%, Radford's figures are markedly lower, with an average earning of $53,739 and a graduation rate of only 49%. This suggests that while Radford may offer a more affordable education, students may face challenges in achieving a degree and subsequent employment success.
As you sift through this data, consider how each school's metrics align with your priorities. Ask yourself what factors are most important: Is it the potential income after graduation, the cost of tuition, or perhaps the campus culture? The right choice may vary depending on whether you prioritize a strong graduation rate or a lower debt load.
Ultimately, this data reflects the critical link between education and career stability. A degree in nursing can open doors to secure employment and a meaningful career. In Virginia, the decisions made today will shape not just a student's future, but also the financial well-being of their families for years to come.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia ranking? +
Radford University in Radford, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $53,739 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 49% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Virginia-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,863 ten years after enrollment, well above the $50,899 average across the 33 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Paul D Camp Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,031 against net price of about $4,126 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 51% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,671 a year across the 33 ranked schools with cost data. Patrick & Henry Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,102. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 33 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
