Best Online Nursing Programs in Fontana, CA (2026)
Fontana, California has a population of about 211,921. The city’s median household income is $98,187 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Fontana, with tuition ranging from $1,420 to $12,427 per year. In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $201,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Fontana
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Fontana city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | 9.9 mi | $1,420 - $12,427 | – |
| Concorde Career College-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American Career College-Ontario | Ontario, CA | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Summit College | San Bernardino, CA | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fontana
Fontana is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). 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 | $130,160 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $122,331 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,560 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $71,015 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $201,870 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $189,727 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,470 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $152,697 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,950 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $42,246 |
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.
Fontana at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,187 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in San Bernardino County | 41,230 workers, 576 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fontana-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Rialto, CA – 4.2 mi away (103,314 pop)
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA – 6.4 mi away (176,534 pop)
- Colton, CA – 8.2 mi away (54,712 pop)
- Ontario, CA – 9.3 mi away (173,212 pop)
- San Bernardino, CA – 10.0 mi away (216,239 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Fontana, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Fontana. The closest is Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (7.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Summit College (11.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fontana?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fontana are: Nurse Midwife ($201,870), Nurse Practitioner ($162,470), Registered Nurse ($130,160). 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 Rialto instead of Fontana?
Rialto, CA is 4.2 miles from Fontana 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 Fontana an affordable place to study nursing?
Fontana’s median household income of $98,187 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fontana 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.