Best Online Nursing Programs in Palm Desert, CA (2026)
Palm Desert, California has a population of about 51,551. The city’s median household income is $79,508 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Palm Desert. In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $201,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Palm Desert
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Palm Desert city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Nurses Educational Institute | Palm Springs, CA | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Copper Mountain Community College | Joshua Tree, CA | 27.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District | San Jacinto, CA | 34.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Palm Desert
Palm Desert is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). 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 | $130,160 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $122,331 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,560 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $71,015 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $201,870 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $189,727 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,470 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $152,697 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,950 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $42,246 |
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.
Palm Desert at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,551 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,508 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Riverside County | 35,912 workers, 671 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Palm Desert-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Indio, CA – 7.8 mi away (402,166 pop)
- La Quinta, CA – 7.8 mi away (40,956 pop)
- Cathedral City, CA – 8.8 mi away (54,056 pop)
- Palm Springs, CA – 10.6 mi away (47,689 pop)
- Coachella, CA – 13.3 mi away (44,953 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Palm Desert, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Palm Desert. The closest is College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mt San Jacinto Community College District (34.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Palm Desert?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Palm Desert are: Nurse Midwife ($201,870), Nurse Practitioner ($162,470), Registered Nurse ($130,160). 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 Indio instead of Palm Desert?
Indio, CA is 7.8 miles from Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert an affordable place to study nursing?
Palm Desert’s median household income of $79,508 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palm Desert 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.