Sentara College of Health Sciences: 239 Students

239Students

$77,821Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Sentara College of Health Sciences

Sentara College of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in healthcare through specialized programs designed by one of Virginia's largest health systems. The school enrolls just 239 students in Chesapeake, creating an intimate learning environment where future nurses, radiologic technologists, and other healthcare professionals train. Students benefit from a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention. The college focuses exclusively on health sciences education, connecting classroom learning directly to clinical practice.

Students here graduate with relatively manageable debt loads. The median debt of $19,450 translates to monthly loan payments of just $206. Graduates earn a median of $77,821 ten years after graduation, making the investment worthwhile for most students. Only 53% of students need federal loans, and 75% successfully repay their loans. About 34% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from diverse economic backgrounds.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at 95%, reflecting healthcare's demographics. Nearly all graduates find employment, with a 97% employment rate. The college's direct connection to Sentara Healthcare gives students access to extensive clinical training opportunities and strong job placement networks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Academics & Faculty

Sentara College of Health Sciences specializes exclusively in preparing healthcare professionals for high-demand medical careers. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive, hands-on training that mirrors real clinical environments. Students train directly within Sentara Health System facilities, gaining practical experience alongside seasoned healthcare workers. With 95% of graduates being women, the college reflects nursing and allied health fields where female professionals dominate. The focused curriculum eliminates general education distractions, allowing students to dive deep into medical coursework from day one. Programs emphasize evidence-based practice and patient care skills that healthcare employers actively seek. This targeted approach explains why graduates earn strong starting salaries and find immediate employment in Virginia's robust healthcare market.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 56.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $77,821
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$60,987
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$55,964

View all 4 programs →

Campus Life

The 239 students at this health sciences college experience an intimate academic environment with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio that means professors know your name. You'll find yourself in a female-dominated environment where women make up 94.98% of the student body, reflecting the demographics of many healthcare fields. Chesapeake sits in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, about 20 minutes from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, giving you access to urban amenities without big-city costs.

Virginia's coastal climate means mild winters where you'll need a light jacket rather than heavy coats, plus hot, humid summers. The college doesn't operate traditional dormitories since most students are working adults or recent graduates entering specialized health programs. Weekends often revolve around clinical rotations, study groups, and networking events with local healthcare systems like Sentara Healthcare, which founded the college. With a 97.4% employment rate, students here are laser-focused on career preparation rather than typical college social activities.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

15 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	8	0
Rape	0	0	4	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	2	0
Domestic Violence	0	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–48°F
July Avg: 71°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 53.3"
Annual Snowfall: 6.2"

Student Demographics

Sentara draws overwhelmingly female students who plan careers in nursing and healthcare fields that traditionally attract women. With 239 students total, this small college creates tight-knit cohorts where everyone knows each other. About one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class students seeking stable healthcare careers. The student body is predominantly white but includes significant representation from Black, Asian, and Hispanic communities. Nearly all graduates find immediate employment in Virginia's healthcare system, reflecting strong regional ties and the school's reputation among local hospitals and medical facilities.

Men: 5.0%
Women: 95.0%
White: 62.3%
Black: 13.0%
Hispanic: 7.1%
Asian: 10.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 34.5%

Location

Sentara College of Health Sciences sits in Chesapeake, Virginia, part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The school is located about 15 miles from Norfolk and roughly 20 miles from Virginia Beach. This region combines urban amenities with coastal access, as students are minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. The area serves as a major healthcare center for southeastern Virginia, with numerous hospitals and medical facilities providing clinical opportunities. The Hampton Roads region hosts over 1.7 million residents and multiple military installations. Chesapeake itself is Virginia's second-largest city by land area, offering both suburban neighborhoods and rural landscapes. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Sentara College of Health Sciences with similar schools in the region.

Address: Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $77,821
Median Earnings (5 years): $70,918
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $50,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 75.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $206/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $19,450

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition at Sentara College of Health Sciences?

The college enrolls just 239 students, making it one of the smallest health sciences programs in Virginia. Women comprise 94.98% of the student body, reflecting the gender demographics typical of nursing and allied health programs.

How much do graduates of Sentara College of Health Sciences earn after graduation?

Graduates earn a median salary of $71,075 just one year after completing their programs. This strong early earning potential reflects the high demand for healthcare professionals in the Hampton Roads region where the college is based.

What is the class size experience like at Sentara College of Health Sciences?

Students benefit from a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in clinical and classroom settings. This intimate learning environment is crucial for hands-on health sciences training where individual mentorship makes a significant difference.

How much debt do students typically graduate with from Sentara College of Health Sciences?

The median debt load is $19,450, which is relatively low for a private health sciences program. With monthly loan payments averaging $206 and a 75.35% loan repayment rate, graduates generally manage their debt successfully given their strong earning potential.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Sentara College of Health Sciences?

The college boasts an impressive 97.4% employment rate, reflecting the critical shortage of healthcare workers nationwide. Students train specifically for high-demand roles in nursing and allied health fields where job security is exceptionally strong.

Does Sentara College of Health Sciences serve low-income students?

About 34.49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves a meaningful portion of lower-income families. The relatively affordable debt levels combined with strong earning outcomes make this a viable path for first-generation college students entering healthcare careers.