Best Online Nursing Programs in Lake Forest, CA (2026)
Lake Forest, California has a population of about 85,846. The city’s median household income is $131,378 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lake Forest, with tuition ranging from $1,432 to $13,732 per year. 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 Lake Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lake Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts Global | Irvine, CA | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA | 7.8 mi | $1,432 - $13,732 | – |
| Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sri Sai Krish Institute | ORANGE, CA | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lake Forest
Lake Forest 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.
Lake Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,846 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $131,378 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.1% | 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 Lake Forest-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Mission Viejo, CA – 3.7 mi away (602,851 pop)
- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 4.6 mi away (48,969 pop)
- Laguna Hills, CA – 5.0 mi away (31,509 pop)
- Irvine, CA – 6.0 mi away (266,122 pop)
- Aliso Viejo, CA – 6.5 mi away (51,424 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lake Forest, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lake Forest. The closest is University of Massachusetts Global in Irvine, CA (5.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sri Sai Krish Institute (11.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lake Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lake Forest 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 Mission Viejo instead of Lake Forest?
Mission Viejo, CA is 3.7 miles from Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest an affordable place to study nursing?
Lake Forest’s median household income of $131,378 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lake Forest 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.