2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia
With all the healthcare programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
The Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Healthcare Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 96 schools in Virginia to see which programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Liberty University to be the most popular school for healthcare students in Virginia. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,614 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,497 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means ECPI University is a great place for healthcare students. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 2,475 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $28,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $125. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Virginia Commonwealth University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia list. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the large public school handed out 1,171 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,106 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $227 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from VCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,786 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
Out of the 96 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, James Madison University landed the # 4 spot on the list. JMU is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 1,087 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,564 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $394 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, JMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,195 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
The programs at Old Dominion University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular healthcare schools in Virginia. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 890 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,724 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Old Dominion, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,278 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
With a ranking of #6, George Mason University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. George Mason University is a large public school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 868 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,883 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $355, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, GMU graduates make an average of $56,435 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Shenandoah University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Located in Winchester, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 617 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,751 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $544 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Shenandoah, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,739 during the early years of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 598 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $383.After graduating from University of Virginia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,809 during the early years of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Radford University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 566 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,711 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $240 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Radford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,099 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
University of Lynchburg came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 537 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Lynchburg accumulate an average of $23,311 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Lynchburg graduates make an average of $40,538 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Eastern Virginia Medical School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #11 on the list. Eastern Virginia Medical School is a small public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 432 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, Eastern Virginia Medical School graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,953 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #12 on the list. Lord Fairfax Community College is located in Middletown, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 398 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College accumulate an average of $15,242 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Lord Fairfax Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,686 during the early year of their career. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school handed out 380 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $16,809 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northern Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,967 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Tidewater Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking. Tidewater Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 376 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,518 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Tidewater Community College graduates make an average of $33,302 annually. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. MECC is a public institution located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 350 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,313 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MECC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,424 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
Reynolds Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 344 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Reynolds Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,589 during the early year of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Marymount University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking. Marymount is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 330 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Marymount accumulate an average of $28,439 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $541 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Marymount graduates make an average of $54,717 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 327 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from PVCC accumulate an average of $15,419 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, PVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,528 during the early year of their career. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #19, Wytheville Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. WCC is a public institution located in Wytheville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 314 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $12,186 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,872 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 296 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College accumulate an average of $17,770 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Virginia Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,159 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia list. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 295 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,087 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $124. During the early years of their career, Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach graduates make an average of $32,775 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
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With a ranking of #22, John Tyler Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Located in Chester, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 272 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,478 in student loans. During the early years of their career, John Tyler Community College graduates make an average of $34,207 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
Stratford University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #23 on the list. Stratford University is a small private for-profit school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 267 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $40,270 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Stratford University graduates make an average of $41,198 annually. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
Germanna Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Virginia ranking. Locust Grove, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 267 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,696 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Germanna Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,592 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #25 on the list. Central Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 238 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $13,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Virginia Community College graduates make an average of $30,954 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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