Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic college

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

  • LocationRichmond, VA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 527 students
  • SponsorSisters of Bon Secours
Official website

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing in Richmond, Virginia, is a single-purpose nursing college that carries on the ministry of the Sisters of Bon Secours, a Catholic congregation. Its catalog describes Bon Secours as a Catholic health care system. The official pages reviewed list no campus ministry, Mass, confession, or adoration schedule, and the general education cluster model does not require theology or philosophy courses.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Josephs Catholic Church: 1.8 mi1Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church: 3.0 mi2Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Josephs Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 8000 Brook Road
  2. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church — 3.0 mi · 8200 Woodman Road, Richmond

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Priests serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.
FTheology and core curriculum: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

0 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (No theology or religious studies course is required. Religion is one elective option in the social consciousness cluster.)
    Sources (1)
    1. ACA 3.03 General Education Requirements | BSMCONbsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/ACA%203.03%20General%20Education%20Requirements%20-%20BSMCON%20-%20v2.0%20-2023.24%20-%20%20C360_0.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Elective coursework in the social consciousness category can include: History, Religion, Business”
      Religion is one elective option in the social consciousness cluster, which requires 6 credits. No theology course is required.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)The requirement can be met with no Catholic theology content (The general education requirement can be met with no Catholic theology content.)
    Sources (1)
    1. ACA 3.03 General Education Requirements | BSMCONbsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/ACA%203.03%20General%20Education%20Requirements%20-%20BSMCON%20-%20v2.0%20-2023.24%20-%20%20C360_0.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Elective coursework in the social consciousness category can include: History, Religion, Business”
      Religion is one elective option in the social consciousness cluster, which requires 6 credits. No theology course is required.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (Philosophy is one elective option in the creative aesthetic cluster. No philosophy course is required.)
    Sources (1)
    1. ACA 3.03 General Education Requirements | BSMCONbsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/ACA%203.03%20General%20Education%20Requirements%20-%20BSMCON%20-%20v2.0%20-2023.24%20-%20%20C360_0.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Elective coursework in the creative aesthetic cluster can include: Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, Dance, Photography, Music, Philosophy, Ethics”
      Philosophy is one elective option in the creative aesthetic cluster, which requires 3 credits. No philosophy course is required.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo (The college states that its sole focus is preparing nurses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission, Vision and Values | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/mission-vision-and-values · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “As a single-purpose College, the Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing's sole focus is preparing the next generation of nurses.”
      The college's sole focus is preparing nurses.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Single-sex residence optionsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service or volunteer centerYes (The Office of Student and Alumni Affairs coordinates collegewide service, and the Students in Service program requires 25 hours of service.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student and Alumni Affairs | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/student-and-alumni-affairs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Office of Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) provides leadership and coordination for student and alumni engagement, student organizations, campus events, collegewide service”
      The Office of Student and Alumni Affairs coordinates collegewide service and student organizations.
    2. Students in Service | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/students-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students in Service members must complete 25 hours of service through a combination of group and individual opportunities.”
      The Students in Service program requires 25 hours of service, recognized with a service cord at graduation.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumAvailable (courses or programs) (Service-learning opportunities are described.)
    Sources (1)
    1. About | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/about-0 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Service-learning and global outreach opportunities help give our students a well-rounded care perspective”
      Service-learning opportunities are offered. They are not described as required.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)Two or more (Two programs are listed: an international Spring Break service trip and the Remote Area Medical stateside outreach in Appalachia.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Global Outreach | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/global-outreach-0 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The goal of this international service trip is for students to immerse themselves in another culture and provide nursing care to those in need.”
      An international Spring Break service trip sends students to serve communities in need.
      “Remote Area Medical is a stateside outreach program geared toward underserved communities in Appalachia.”
      Remote Area Medical is a stateside outreach program that serves underserved Appalachian communities.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Students in Service requires 25 hours of service for members, recognized with a service cord at graduation.
    Sources (1)
    1. Students in Service | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/students-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students in Service members must complete 25 hours of service through a combination of group and individual opportunities.”
      The Students in Service program requires 25 hours of service, recognized with a service cord at graduation.
  • Global Outreach offers mission experiences, including an international Spring Break service trip and a stateside medical outreach in Appalachia.
    Sources (1)
    1. Global Outreach | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/global-outreach-0 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The goal of this international service trip is for students to immerse themselves in another culture and provide nursing care to those in need.”
      An international Spring Break service trip sends students to serve communities in need.
      “Remote Area Medical is a stateside outreach program geared toward underserved communities in Appalachia.”
      Remote Area Medical is a stateside outreach program that serves underserved Appalachian communities.
  • The college's catalog and About page state its connection to the Catholic Sisters of Bon Secours.
    Sources (2)
    1. About | Bon Secoursbsmcon.edu/about-0 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Today, the Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing carries on the ministry of the Sisters, preparing future generations of nurses”
      The college carries on the ministry of the Sisters of Bon Secours.
    2. Accreditation and History of the College | 2026-2027 Catalogbonsecours.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/bon-secours-memorial-college-of-nursing-2026-2027/accreditation-and-history-of-the-college · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bon Secours is a Catholic, nonprofit, community-based health care system”
      The college's catalog describes Bon Secours as a Catholic health care system. The Sisters of Bon Secours are a religious congregation.

Concerns

  • The general education cluster model does not require a theology or religious studies course. Religion is one elective option.
    Sources (1)
    1. ACA 3.03 General Education Requirements | BSMCONbsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/ACA%203.03%20General%20Education%20Requirements%20-%20BSMCON%20-%20v2.0%20-2023.24%20-%20%20C360_0.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Elective coursework in the social consciousness category can include: History, Religion, Business”
      Religion is one elective option in the social consciousness cluster, which requires 6 credits. No theology course is required.
  • The general education cluster model does not require a philosophy course. Philosophy is one elective option.
    Sources (1)
    1. ACA 3.03 General Education Requirements | BSMCONbsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/ACA%203.03%20General%20Education%20Requirements%20-%20BSMCON%20-%20v2.0%20-2023.24%20-%20%20C360_0.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Elective coursework in the creative aesthetic cluster can include: Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, Dance, Photography, Music, Philosophy, Ethics”
      Philosophy is one elective option in the creative aesthetic cluster, which requires 3 credits. No philosophy course is required.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 3 off campus, 1 location not published

Other 1

  • Study Abroad in ParisOff campus
    Course that follows the history and work of the Bon Secours Sisters.
    bsmcon.edu

Service 3

  • Spring Break International Service TripOff campus
    Typically over Spring Break
    Student trip to provide nursing care to communities in need abroad, with faculty members.
    bsmcon.edu
  • Remote Area Medical stateside outreachOff campus
    Emporia (June) and Grundy (October), per the Global Outreach page
    Long-weekend clinic teams providing free preventive, dental and vision care in underserved Appalachian communities.
    bsmcon.edu
  • Students in Service
    Service program for students, alumni, faculty and staff. Members complete 25 hours of service through group and individual opportunities and receive a service cord at graduation.
    bsmcon.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

My rating and notes

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Academic Excellence

N/AAcademic Excellence: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Not enough information
Federal data covers too few of the measures to score this school.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.10 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,983

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
527
Total students527
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
—
Cost of attendance (per year)—
Median federal debt at graduation$26,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
—
First-year retention—
Median earnings 10 years after entry$77,014
Admission rate—
Students receiving Pell grants27%

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Richmond

The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: richmonddiocese.org, richmonddiocese.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 233356
  • Carnegie classification: Special focus: health professions
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing a Catholic college?
Yes. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing is a Catholic college in the Diocese of Richmond. Its sponsor is Sisters of Bon Secours.

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