Best Online Nursing Programs in San Rafael, CA (2026)
San Rafael, California has a population of about 60,604. The city’s median household income is $109,317 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of San Rafael. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $220,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to San Rafael
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from San Rafael city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 18.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Unitek College | South San Francisco, CA | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | 23.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merritt College | Oakland, CA | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD | Concord, CA | 26.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near San Rafael
San Rafael is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). 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 | $188,020 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $162,647 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $90,810 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,555 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $204,980 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $177,318 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $220,330 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $190,597 |
| Nursing Assistant | $53,990 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,704 |
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 Rafael at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,317 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Marin County | 5,014 workers, 129 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Rafael-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Novato, CA – 7.3 mi away (56,004 pop)
- San Pablo, CA – 10.0 mi away (30,536 pop)
- Richmond, CA – 10.4 mi away (109,813 pop)
- El Cerrito, CA – 12.9 mi away (25,400 pop)
- Hercules, CA – 14.5 mi away (25,360 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near San Rafael, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of San Rafael. The closest is City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA (18.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD (26.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near San Rafael?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near San Rafael are: Nurse Practitioner ($220,330), Nurse Midwife ($204,980), Registered Nurse ($188,020). 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 Novato instead of San Rafael?
Novato, CA is 7.3 miles from San Rafael 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 Rafael an affordable place to study nursing?
San Rafael’s median household income of $109,317 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Rafael 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.