Best Online Nursing Programs in Chesapeake, VA (2026)
Chesapeake, Virginia has a population of about 251,153. The city’s median household income is $94,189 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Chesapeake, with tuition ranging from $14,083 to $35,941 per year. In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $206,760 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Chesapeake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Chesapeake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central School of Practical Nursing | Norfolk, VA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing | Virginia Beach, VA | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | 13.2 mi | $14,083 - $35,941 | – |
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | 13.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Chesapeake
Chesapeake is part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (BLS area code 47260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,170 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $82,911 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,130 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,463 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $206,760 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $211,195 |
| Nurse Midwife | $139,770 | VA statewide | $142,768 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,330 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $128,018 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,202 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Chesapeake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,189 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chesapeake-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Portsmouth, VA – 12.0 mi away (95,252 pop)
- Virginia Beach, VA – 14.8 mi away (1,487,505 pop)
- Norfolk, VA – 15.2 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Suffolk, VA – 18.7 mi away (89,273 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 26.3 mi away (135,410 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Chesapeake, VA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Chesapeake. The closest is Central School of Practical Nursing in Norfolk, VA (11.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is ECPI University (13.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Chesapeake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Chesapeake are: Nurse Anesthetist ($206,760), Nurse Midwife ($139,770), Nurse Practitioner ($125,330). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Portsmouth instead of Chesapeake?
Portsmouth, VA is 12.0 miles from Chesapeake and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Chesapeake an affordable place to study nursing?
Chesapeake’s median household income of $94,189 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chesapeake while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.