Best Online Nursing Programs in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
Costa Mesa, California has a population of about 110,538. The city’s median household income is $110,073 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Costa Mesa. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $190,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Costa Mesa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Costa Mesa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa, CA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Homestead Schools-Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa, CA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific College | Costa Mesa, CA | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $133,440 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $117,465 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,290 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $67,157 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $190,230 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $167,456 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,510 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $144,815 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,140 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $40,616 |
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.
Costa Mesa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $110,073 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Orange County | 63,561 workers, 1,084 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Costa Mesa-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Fountain Valley, CA – 3.7 mi away (56,529 pop)
- Newport Beach, CA – 4.5 mi away (86,688 pop)
- Santa Ana, CA – 5.2 mi away (334,217 pop)
- Huntington Beach, CA – 5.5 mi away (200,652 pop)
- Tustin, CA – 7.4 mi away (80,395 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Costa Mesa, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Costa Mesa. The closest is Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Career Networks Institute (5.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Costa Mesa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Costa Mesa are: Nurse Midwife ($190,230), Nurse Practitioner ($164,510), Registered Nurse ($133,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fountain Valley instead of Costa Mesa?
Fountain Valley, CA is 3.7 miles from Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa an affordable place to study nursing?
Costa Mesa’s median household income of $110,073 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Costa Mesa while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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.