Admit rate has ranged 17%–100% over the last 4 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (13%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Riverside College of Health Sciences is a small, intensely focused private non-profit institution in Newport News, Virginia, that operates with the precision of a professional training academy. It exists to funnel competent, caring graduates directly into the healthcare workforce, boasting a perfect graduation rate and a laser-focused curriculum in nursing and allied health. This isn't a place for a broad liberal arts exploration; it's for students who know exactly what they want to do and are ready for a rigorous, immersive, and community-connected education.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
350
In-state tuition
$17,250
Out-of-state tuition
$17,250
Application Fee
$100
Graduation Rate
100%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$66,072
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$66,072
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$14,787
Graduation rate
100%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
60%
Pell (lower-income) share
46%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
34%
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
106
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
38°F
Annual rain
45.6"
Annual snow
3.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences's acceptance rate is approximately 13% (Newport News, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Riverside College of Health Sciences cost?
At Riverside College of Health Sciences, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,744 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences enrolls approximately 350 undergraduate students.
Where is Riverside College of Health Sciences located?
Riverside College of Health Sciences is located in Newport News, VA.
Admissions
Admission to Riverside is highly selective, with an of 13%. The process is distinctly professional-program oriented: SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended for admission. Instead, the college emphasizes academic preparedness through prerequisite courses and specific program requirements. For its nursing and health sciences programs, the college cites an average accepted GPA of 3.34 and pays close attention to performance in relevant prerequisite coursework. While a formal Early Decision program is not detailed in the provided sources, the institution has a remarkably high rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—reported at 100% in one source and 80% in another, indicating that those who are admitted are highly committed to attending. The application fee is $100. Demonstrated interest, a factor some colleges track via campus visits or communications, is not addressed in the available Riverside-specific snippets; general guidance notes that schools declare this as "considered" or "not considered" in the , but Riverside's specific stance is not provided here.
The academic experience at Riverside is singularly dedicated to health professions. The college offers comprehensive degree and certificate programs in fields like professional nursing, radiologic technology, surgical technology, and physical therapy assisting. Its identity is rooted in "academic strength, clinical excellence, and a shared commitment to caring for our local community." A significant advantage is its connection to the Riverside Health System, a major teaching hospital. This integration provides students with direct, hands-on clinical training opportunities and the potential to work within the system while completing their degrees. The curriculum is offered in both full-time and part-time formats to accommodate working students, and it includes online options. The focus is relentlessly practical, designed to prepare "competent and caring professionals" for immediate entry into high-demand healthcare careers.
Student life is shaped by the college's professional focus and its commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment. The institution actively works to "create and foster an inclusive culture and deep community involvement." While traditional residential campus amenities may be limited given its specialized nature, the college provides robust support services. A key resource is a free, confidential 24/7 helpline for students, offering support for stress management, chemical dependency, legal and financial concerns, relationship issues, and anxiety. This reflects an understanding of the high-pressure nature of healthcare training. The student body, while not described in granular demographic detail here, is characterized by a shared, intense career focus, which likely creates a cohesive, driven campus culture centered on mutual support in navigating a rigorous academic pathway.
Outcomes are Riverside's most powerful selling point. The college reports a perfect 100% graduation rate. Furthermore, its rate—the proportion of admitted students who choose to enroll—is exceptionally high, cited as 100% in one report and 80% in another, underscoring the decisive commitment of its admitted cohort. The financial return is strong: graduates report a median salary of $66,072 ten years after enrollment. Earlier career earnings, at the six-year mark, are reported at a median of $54,261. These outcomes vary by specific healthcare major, but the overarching narrative is one of highly effective placement: students who enter this focused program overwhelmingly complete it and launch into stable, well-compensated careers in the health sector.
The average after aid—the actual cost a typical student pays—is $20,744. To help manage costs, the college offers financial aid and scholarships. On average, student grant aid totals $6,274 per year, with approximately 33% of students receiving some form of grant aid. The average institutional grant is $4,393. The college provides a net price calculator on its website for prospective students to get a personalized estimate of costs after factoring in potential aid. The provided sources do not specify whether Riverside has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need or a "no-loan" policy for low-income students; such policies are described in general terms elsewhere but are not explicitly attributed to Riverside in the given snippets. Federal Pell Grants, awarded to students with demonstrated financial need, are part of the aid ecosystem, as are federal loans.
Riverside College of Health Sciences stands out as a pure-play professional school that delivers on its promise with almost surgical efficiency. Its 100% graduation rate is a staggering statistic that speaks to a combination of rigorous admissions selectivity, a highly motivated student body, and a tightly structured, supportive program. Unlike many colleges where students "find themselves," Riverside is for those who have already found their direction. Its deep integration with the Riverside Health System transforms the campus; the hospital is an extension of the classroom, providing immediate, real-world clinical training and a direct pipeline to employment. This creates a seamless education-to-career arc that few institutions can match. The culture is one of focused intensity, backed by comprehensive student support like the 24/7 helpline, acknowledging the stresses of the path. For a student certain of a future in nursing or allied health, Riverside offers a no-nonsense, high-reward trajectory with outstanding outcomes.
Riverside College of Health Sciences seal · sourceRiverside College of Health Sciences | Riverside Health l Southeastern VA · sourceCampus Information | About Us | Riverside College of Health Sciences · sourceRiverside College of Health Sciences | Riverside Health l Southeastern VA · source
