Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Bryant & Stratton's nursing assistant program carries significantly higher debt than typical for this field—graduates leave owing $26,000 compared to a national median of $15,000 and state median of $16,000. In fact, this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 95% of similar programs burden students with less. The first-year salary of $45,000 is decent (60th percentile in Virginia), but it doesn't justify the premium debt load.
The concerning math: graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, meaning they owe more than half their annual salary right out of school. For a field where many students are Pell Grant recipients (62% here) seeking quick entry to healthcare careers, this creates meaningful financial strain. Several Virginia alternatives deliver similar or better outcomes with far less debt—ECPI and both Fortis locations place graduates earning $50,000+ while likely carrying lower debt burdens given typical program costs.
This program gets you to the same career destination as most LPN/nursing assistant certificates, but via a more expensive route. Unless Bryant & Stratton offers specific advantages like flexible scheduling or location convenience that matter significantly to your family, the debt burden makes this harder to justify than lower-cost community college alternatives or programs with stronger placement outcomes.
Where Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach graduates compare to all programs nationally
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach graduates earn $45k, placing them in the 54th percentile of all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (37 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | $45,098 | — | $25,967 | 0.58 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | $61,566 | — | — | — |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | $56,355 | $64,351 | $14,750 | 0.26 |
| ECPI University | $51,209 | $46,276 | $25,250 | 0.49 |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | $50,451 | $49,631 | $20,455 | 0.41 |
| Fortis College-Richmond | $50,451 | $49,631 | $20,455 | 0.41 |
| National Median | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville | $4,928 | $61,566 | — |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing Falls Church | — | $56,355 | $14,750 |
| ECPI University Virginia Beach | $18,484 | $51,209 | $25,250 |
| Fortis College-Norfolk Norfolk | $14,083 | $50,451 | $20,455 |
| Fortis College-Richmond Richmond | $14,986 | $50,451 | $20,455 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach, approximately 62% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 91 graduates with reported earnings and 213 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.