Best Online Nursing Programs in Alabaster, AL (2026)
Alabaster, Alabama has a population of about 33,633. The city’s median household income is $90,163 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Alabaster. In the Birmingham, AL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $155,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Alabaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Alabaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 17.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 42.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Alabaster
Alabaster is part of the Birmingham, AL metro area (BLS area code 13820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alabama statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,020 | Birmingham, AL | $82,991 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $51,580 | Birmingham, AL | $56,310 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $155,180 | Birmingham, AL | $169,410 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | AL statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,550 | Birmingham, AL | $117,413 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,040 | Birmingham, AL | $38,253 |
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.
Alabaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,163 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Alabaster-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Pelham, AL – 7.4 mi away (23,050 pop)
- Hoover, AL – 10.8 mi away (84,978 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 13.5 mi away (26,511 pop)
- Vestavia Hills, AL – 16.7 mi away (34,688 pop)
- Homewood, AL – 16.7 mi away (25,613 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Alabaster, AL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Alabaster. The closest is Samford University in Birmingham, AL (15.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bevill State Community College (48.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Alabaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Alabaster are: Nurse Anesthetist ($155,180), Nurse Practitioner ($107,550), Registered Nurse ($76,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alabama statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Pelham instead of Alabaster?
Pelham, AL is 7.4 miles from Alabaster 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 Alabaster an affordable place to study nursing?
Alabaster’s median household income of $90,163 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alabaster while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alabama 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.