Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Centra College

Centra College manages something increasingly rare in nursing education: producing strong earners while keeping graduates essentially debt-free. With median debt under $16,000—barely half Virginia's typical nursing school burden and far below the $27,000 national median—this program enters the 95th percentile nationally for affordability. Starting salaries of $80,832 sit comfortably above both state and national benchmarks, placing graduates in the 74th percentile nationally.

Within Virginia's competitive nursing landscape, these outcomes hold up well. Centra ranks solidly in the middle tier for earnings among the state's 35 nursing programs, trailing top private schools like Chamberlain and Shenandoah by just a few thousand dollars annually. But the debt advantage is decisive: while competitors saddle students with Virginia's typical $27,000+ burden, Centra's graduates finish with roughly 45% less debt. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19—meaning the average graduate could theoretically clear their loans with just two months' salary.

The 100% admission rate and high Pell grant enrollment (44%) suggest Centra serves many first-generation and lower-income students, yet still delivers market-competitive outcomes. For families prioritizing financial safety in nursing education, this program offers a straightforward value: strong entry-level wages with minimal debt risk, particularly appealing if you're wary of the escalating costs at Virginia's private nursing schools.