Best Online Nursing Programs in San Luis Obispo, CA (2026)
San Luis Obispo, California has a population of about 48,039. The city’s median household income is $66,711 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of San Luis Obispo. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to San Luis Obispo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from San Luis Obispo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 23.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | 26.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | Santa Maria, CA | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | 81.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | 90.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is part of the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area (BLS area code 42020). 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 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $122,901 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,500 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,363 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $181,123 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,840 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $144,420 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,360 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $41,768 |
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.
San Luis Obispo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,039 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,711 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in San Luis Obispo County | 4,595 workers, 107 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Luis Obispo-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Arroyo Grande, CA – 10.9 mi away (54,542 pop)
- Atascadero, CA – 14.9 mi away (30,330 pop)
- Santa Maria, CA – 26.3 mi away (139,270 pop)
- Lompoc, CA – 43.3 mi away (53,062 pop)
- Goleta, CA – 73.5 mi away (30,850 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near San Luis Obispo, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of San Luis Obispo. The closest is Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA (23.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield (90.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near San Luis Obispo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near San Luis Obispo are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($156,840), 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 Arroyo Grande instead of San Luis Obispo?
Arroyo Grande, CA is 10.9 miles from San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo an affordable place to study nursing?
San Luis Obispo’s median household income of $66,711 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Luis Obispo 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.