Best Online Nursing Programs in La Mesa, CA (2026)
La Mesa, California has a population of about 60,835. The city’s median household income is $84,337 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 38.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of La Mesa. In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $162,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to La Mesa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from La Mesa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North-West College-San Diego | San Diego, CA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concorde Career College-San Diego | San Diego, CA | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Nurse Academy | National City, CA | 7.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National University | San Diego, CA | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern College | Chula Vista, CA | 9.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near La Mesa
La Mesa is part of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area (BLS area code 41740). 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 | $133,090 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $118,937 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,280 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $69,062 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $155,030 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $138,543 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,030 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $144,799 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,600 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $41,644 |
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.
La Mesa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,835 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $84,337 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 38.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in San Diego County | 59,177 workers, 962 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other La Mesa-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lemon Grove, CA – 2.7 mi away (26,860 pop)
- El Cajon, CA – 4.1 mi away (103,768 pop)
- Santee, CA – 6.2 mi away (57,834 pop)
- San Diego, CA – 7.3 mi away (3,181,172 pop)
- National City, CA – 8.5 mi away (61,147 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near La Mesa, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of La Mesa. The closest is North-West College-San Diego in San Diego, CA (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwestern College (9.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near La Mesa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near La Mesa are: Nurse Practitioner ($162,030), Nurse Midwife ($155,030), Registered Nurse ($133,090). 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 Lemon Grove instead of La Mesa?
Lemon Grove, CA is 2.7 miles from La 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 La Mesa an affordable place to study nursing?
La Mesa’s median household income of $84,337 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in La 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.