Earning a degree from a Virginia nurse practitioner program is a major investment of time and money. You need to choose your program wisely. This guide to the best nurse practitioner programs in Virginia can help.
Explore more about nurse practitioner programs in Virginia, with information on admissions requirements, expected coursework, and program accreditation.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nurse practitioner programs in Virginia, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
At a Glance: The Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia
- Marymount University
- Radford University
How Do Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?
Nurse practitioners are between registered nurses (RNs) and physicians in their length of training and practice authority. Nurse practitioner programs in Virginia, whether on campus or online, all require clinical hours and classroom work. If you attend a Virginia nurse practitioner program online, you can find clinical placement in your community, although most programs provide advice or assistance.
Nurse practitioner programs focus on a population or type of practice, such as family medicine or neonatal care. When a student graduates and passes the board examinations, they are licensed only to practice within that specialty.
Explore Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About the Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia
See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
#1 The Best Virginia Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2023
Marymount University
- Arlington, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Marymount University's MSN program is offered in person and online one day a week to accommodate nurses who work full-time. They are a CCNE-accredited school, recognized as a College of Distinction.
Students complete 45 credit hours and 700 clinical hours across five full-time semesters or seven part-time semesters. The program typically enrolls 25 students, which helps to encourage collaboration, faculty mentorship, and professional success.
- Program(s): Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Campus: Arlington, Virginia
- Type: Private Catholic
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $1,140 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: RN licensure in Virginia, BSN from an accredited program, two years experience as a registered nurse, professional resume, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, essay
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30-42 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $98,210 for MSN graduates, according to College Scoreboard
Percent Online Enrollment
69%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Best Virginia Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2023
Radford University
- Radford, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Radford University offers a program for nursing administrators, family nurse practitioners (FNP), and a post-master's certificate for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP). The FNP program prepares graduates to be clinicians, educators, leaders, and scholars.
Students have a 96% employment rate after graduation. The nursing administration track expands your clinical and research abilities, preparing you for leadership certification.
- Program(s): Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner; Nursing Administration; post-master's certificate: PMHNP
- Campus: Radford, VA
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $21,316 per year
- Admission Requirements: Unrestricted RN license, BSN with a 3.0 GPA from an accredited nursing school, passing grade in a statistics course, three recommendations, resume, personal essay, minimum of 2,000 RN practice hours
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months part-time covering 50 credit hours and 605 clinical hours
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes (2-3 on-campus intensives)
Percent Online Enrollment
87%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Virginia
Most Virginia nurse practitioner programs require a clear and unencumbered RN license and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. If you have an associate degree in nursing (ADN), some nurse practitioner programs in Virginia offer an ADN-to-MSN bridge program. Some programs also accept students with a degree in another field, as long as the student has met certain prerequisite courses.
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Admission Materials
Undergraduate transcript, personal essay or statement, at least two references. Some programs accept an unofficial transcript when you apply, but you must provide an official transcript if you are offered admission.
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GPA Requirement
Most schools prefer a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a 3.0 GPA or higher in an undergraduate statistics course.
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Other Requirement
Most schools require or strongly prefer at least one year experience as an RN.
Why Is Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important
Accreditation is the most important factor for measuring a program's potential value. To earn your board certification as a nurse practitioner, you must graduate from an accredited program. Accredited schools almost never accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs. While unaccredited programs may promise lower costs and faster graduation, they are an unnecessary risk of your time and money. Because of this, we only include accredited programs in our ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Nurse Practitioner Programs
Is Virginia a nurse licensure compact (NLC) state?
Virginia is an NLC state, meaning that nurses licensed in any participating state can practice in Virginia, and Virginia nurses can practice in any NLC state. This means that if your RN is from a different NLC state, you will not have to go through the licensing process in Virginia to work in the state.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Virginia?
If you already have a BSN, most Virginia nurse practitioner programs take approximately two years to complete, depending on the specialty and the program. If you do not have a BSN, it will take about three years to complete.
How do I get a Virginia NP license?
To get a Virginia NP license, you must graduate from an accredited program and pass your board certification examination. You can then apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing for an NP license.
What is the salary for NPs in Virginia?
The average salary for an NP in Virginia is $112,320, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries vary based on experience, certification, local demand, and cost of living.
