Best Online Nursing Programs in Lompoc, CA (2026)
Lompoc, California has a population of about 43,819. The city’s median household income is $70,038 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lompoc. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lompoc
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lompoc city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | Santa Maria, CA | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | 19.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | 47.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 63.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | 93.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lompoc
Lompoc is part of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area (BLS area code 42200). 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 | $133,470 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $122,675 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,640 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $70,441 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $180,790 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $171,150 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $157,307 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,190 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $42,454 |
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.
Lompoc at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,819 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,038 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Santa Barbara County | 10,129 workers, 144 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lompoc-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Santa Maria, CA – 18.8 mi away (139,270 pop)
- Arroyo Grande, CA – 32.6 mi away (54,542 pop)
- Goleta, CA – 38.1 mi away (30,850 pop)
- San Luis Obispo, CA – 43.3 mi away (62,391 pop)
- Santa Barbara, CA – 45.7 mi away (203,655 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lompoc, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lompoc. The closest is San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria in Santa Maria, CA (19.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield (93.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lompoc?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lompoc are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($171,150), Registered Nurse ($133,470). 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 Santa Maria instead of Lompoc?
Santa Maria, CA is 18.8 miles from Lompoc 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 Lompoc an affordable place to study nursing?
Lompoc’s median household income of $70,038 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lompoc 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.