Best Online Nursing Programs in Lancaster, CA (2026)
Lancaster, California has a population of about 170,013. The city’s median household income is $76,083 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 116 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $1,181 to $15,802 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 Lancaster
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 116 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Lancaster. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster, CA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Care Institute | Lancaster, CA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| High Desert Medical College | Lancaster, CA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Antelope Valley | Lancaster, CA | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Los Angeles Mission College | Sylmar, CA | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA | 30.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National Career College | Panorama City, CA | 36.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Integrity College of Health | Pasadena, CA | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CES College | Burbank, CA | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, CA | 36.5 mi | $1,181 - $15,802 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lancaster
Lancaster 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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,083 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Los Angeles County | 216,461 workers, 2,866 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Palmdale, CA – 7.9 mi away (157,356 pop)
- Santa Clarita, CA – 27.0 mi away (266,958 pop)
- San Fernando, CA – 31.7 mi away (24,717 pop)
- La Canada Flintridge, CA – 33.5 mi away (20,447 pop)
- Glendale, CA – 35.6 mi away (200,831 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Lancaster, CA?
Our directory has 116 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster. The closest is Antelope Valley Community College District in Lancaster, CA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Glendale Community College (36.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lancaster 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 Palmdale instead of Lancaster?
Palmdale, CA is 7.9 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study nursing?
Lancaster’s median household income of $76,083 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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.