Best Online Nursing Programs in Palo Alto, CA (2026)
Palo Alto, California has a population of about 67,231. The city’s median household income is $220,408 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 82.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Palo Alto. In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $225,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Palo Alto
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Palo Alto city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission College | Santa Clara, CA | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Jose, CA | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Valley College | Saratoga, CA | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Unitek College | Fremont, CA | 13.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Unitek College | Hayward, CA | 18.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Palo Alto
Palo Alto is part of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area (BLS area code 41940). 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 | $208,940 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $189,257 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $92,840 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84,094 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $178,170 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $225,730 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $204,466 |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,220 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $50,924 |
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.
Palo Alto at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $220,408 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 82.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 110.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Santa Clara County | 50,202 workers, 410 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Palo Alto-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Los Altos, CA – 3.2 mi away (30,561 pop)
- Mountain View, CA – 3.7 mi away (80,447 pop)
- East Palo Alto, CA – 5.2 mi away (29,684 pop)
- Menlo Park, CA – 5.4 mi away (33,888 pop)
- Sunnyvale, CA – 6.6 mi away (152,771 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Palo Alto, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Palo Alto. The closest is Mission College in Santa Clara, CA (9.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Unitek College (18.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Palo Alto?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Palo Alto are: Nurse Practitioner ($225,730), Registered Nurse ($208,940), Nurse Midwife ($196,700). 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 Los Altos instead of Palo Alto?
Los Altos, CA is 3.2 miles from Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto an affordable place to study nursing?
Palo Alto’s median household income of $220,408 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palo Alto 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.