Best Online Nursing Programs in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
Portsmouth, Virginia has a population of about 97,299. The city’s median household income is $58,972 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Portsmouth city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central School of Practical Nursing | Norfolk, VA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | 9.1 mi | $14,083 - $35,941 | – |
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Portsmouth
Portsmouth 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.
Portsmouth at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,299 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,972 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Portsmouth (city) County | 1,397 workers, 39 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portsmouth-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Norfolk, VA – 6.2 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Chesapeake, VA – 12.0 mi away (237,940 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 14.4 mi away (135,410 pop)
- Virginia Beach, VA – 18.9 mi away (1,487,505 pop)
- Suffolk, VA – 19.0 mi away (89,273 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Portsmouth, VA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth. The closest is Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, VA (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is ECPI University (9.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Portsmouth?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Portsmouth 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 Norfolk instead of Portsmouth?
Norfolk, VA is 6.2 miles from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth an affordable place to study nursing?
Portsmouth’s median household income of $58,972 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portsmouth 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.