Best Online Nursing Programs in Fullerton, CA (2026)
Fullerton, California has a population of about 141,278. The city’s median household income is $104,219 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 131 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Fullerton, with tuition ranging from $7,073 to $18,953 per year for indexed programs. 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 Fullerton
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 131 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Fullerton. Distances are calculated from Fullerton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | 2.4 mi | $7,073 - $18,953 | – |
| North-West College-Anaheim | Anaheim, CA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American Career College-Anaheim | Anaheim, CA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Coast University-Orange County | Anaheim, CA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Career Institute | Anaheim, CA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Platt College-Anaheim | Anaheim, CA | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cypress College | Cypress, CA | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concorde Career College-Garden Grove | Garden Grove, CA | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fullerton
Fullerton 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.
Fullerton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $104,219 | 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 Fullerton-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- La Habra, CA – 3.3 mi away (61,664 pop)
- Placentia, CA – 4.2 mi away (52,228 pop)
- Brea, CA – 4.6 mi away (42,471 pop)
- Buena Park, CA – 4.8 mi away (83,156 pop)
- La Mirada, CA – 4.8 mi away (49,216 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Fullerton, CA?
Our directory has 131 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Fullerton. The closest is Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concorde Career College-Garden Grove (7.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fullerton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fullerton 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 La Habra instead of Fullerton?
La Habra, CA is 3.3 miles from Fullerton 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 Fullerton an affordable place to study nursing?
Fullerton’s median household income of $104,219 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fullerton 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.