Best Online Nursing Programs in Los Banos, CA (2026)
Los Banos, California has a population of about 46,776. The city’s median household income is $70,893 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Los Banos. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Los Banos
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Los Banos city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 27.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 40.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 41.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 47.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Coast College | Salinas, CA | 51.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Los Banos
Los Banos is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). 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 | $126,880 | Merced, CA | $129,074 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,430 | Merced, CA | $72,665 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $200,102 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,100 | Merced, CA | $155,748 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,040 | Merced, CA | $44,802 |
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.
Los Banos at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,776 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,893 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Los Banos-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Atwater, CA – 24.1 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Merced, CA – 26.1 mi away (143,272 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 30.6 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Patterson, CA – 32.9 mi away (22,169 pop)
- Hollister, CA – 33.9 mi away (45,496 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Los Banos, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Los Banos. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (27.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Coast College (51.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Los Banos?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Los Banos are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($153,100), Registered Nurse ($126,880). 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 Atwater instead of Los Banos?
Atwater, CA is 24.1 miles from Los Banos 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 Los Banos an affordable place to study nursing?
Los Banos’s median household income of $70,893 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Los Banos 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.