Best Online Nursing Programs in Sacramento, CA (2026)
Sacramento, California has a population of about 524,802. The city’s median household income is $83,753 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Sacramento, with tuition ranging from $1,288 to $13,062 per year. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Sacramento
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Sacramento city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | 2.0 mi | $1,288 - $13,062 | – |
| Charles A Jones Career and Education Center | Sacramento, CA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carrington College-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American River College | Sacramento, CA | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blake Austin College | Vacaville, CA | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Sacramento
Sacramento is part of the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area (BLS area code 40900). 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 | $169,210 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $158,585 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,460 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,470 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $184,349 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,520 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $154,189 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,260 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $43,355 |
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.
Sacramento at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,753 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Sacramento County | 30,700 workers, 598 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sacramento-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- West Sacramento, CA – 4.5 mi away (52,981 pop)
- Elk Grove, CA – 11.4 mi away (169,743 pop)
- Rancho Cordova, CA – 11.7 mi away (72,326 pop)
- Citrus Heights, CA – 13.2 mi away (87,432 pop)
- Davis, CA – 14.5 mi away (75,553 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Sacramento, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Sacramento. The closest is Sacramento City College in Sacramento, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Blake Austin College (29.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Sacramento?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Sacramento are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Registered Nurse ($169,210), Nurse Practitioner ($164,520). 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 West Sacramento instead of Sacramento?
West Sacramento, CA is 4.5 miles from Sacramento 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 Sacramento an affordable place to study nursing?
Sacramento’s median household income of $83,753 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sacramento 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.