Best Online Nursing Programs in Gardena, CA (2026)
Gardena, California has a population of about 59,765. The city’s median household income is $79,291 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Gardena. 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 Gardena
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Gardena city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, CA | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Homestead Schools | Torrance, CA | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westchester College of Nursing & Allied Health | Los Angeles, CA | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA | 7.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Gardena
Gardena 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.
Gardena at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,291 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Los Angeles County | 216,461 workers, 2,866 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gardena-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lawndale, CA – 2.7 mi away (33,145 pop)
- Hawthorne, CA – 2.7 mi away (88,031 pop)
- Compton, CA – 4.6 mi away (97,550 pop)
- Torrance, CA – 4.6 mi away (147,195 pop)
- Redondo Beach, CA – 4.7 mi away (67,867 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Gardena, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Gardena. The closest is Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Los Angeles Harbor College (7.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Gardena?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Gardena 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 Lawndale instead of Gardena?
Lawndale, CA is 2.7 miles from Gardena 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 Gardena an affordable place to study nursing?
Gardena’s median household income of $79,291 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardena 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.