Best Online Nursing Programs in Fresno, CA (2026)
Fresno, California has a population of about 543,615. The city’s median household income is $66,804 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Fresno, with tuition ranging from $1,334 to $11,413 per year. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Fresno
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Fresno city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agape College of Business and Science | Fresno, CA | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Institute of Technology | Clovis, CA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Adult Education | Clovis, CA | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 14.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Reedley College | Reedley, CA | 22.1 mi | $1,334 - $11,413 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fresno
Fresno is part of the Fresno, CA metro area (BLS area code 23420). 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 | $126,630 | Fresno, CA | $123,904 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $73,340 | Fresno, CA | $71,761 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $192,466 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,550 | Fresno, CA | $158,072 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,840 | Fresno, CA | $41,918 |
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.
Fresno at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,804 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Fresno County | 24,608 workers, 286 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fresno-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Clovis, CA – 6.7 mi away (106,583 pop)
- Sanger, CA – 14.3 mi away (27,413 pop)
- Selma, CA – 17.5 mi away (44,292 pop)
- Madera, CA – 20.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Reedley, CA – 23.0 mi away (48,897 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Fresno, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Fresno. The closest is Agape College of Business and Science in Fresno, CA (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Reedley College (22.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fresno?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fresno are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($161,550), Registered Nurse ($126,630). 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 Clovis instead of Fresno?
Clovis, CA is 6.7 miles from Fresno 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 Fresno an affordable place to study nursing?
Fresno’s median household income of $66,804 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fresno 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.