Best Online Nursing Programs in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
Santa Maria, California has a population of about 109,880. The city’s median household income is $84,617 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Santa Maria. In California, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $196,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Santa Maria
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Maria city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | Santa Maria, CA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | 55.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | 83.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Santa Maria
Santa Maria is part of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area (BLS area code 42200). 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 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $122,675 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,640 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $70,441 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $180,790 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $171,150 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $157,307 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,190 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $42,454 |
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.
Santa Maria at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $84,617 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Santa Barbara County | 10,129 workers, 144 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Maria-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Arroyo Grande, CA – 15.4 mi away (54,542 pop)
- Lompoc, CA – 18.8 mi away (53,062 pop)
- San Luis Obispo, CA – 26.3 mi away (62,391 pop)
- Atascadero, CA – 40.3 mi away (30,330 pop)
- Goleta, CA – 47.8 mi away (30,850 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Santa Maria, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Santa Maria. The closest is San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria in Santa Maria, CA (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield (83.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Santa Maria?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Santa Maria are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($171,150), 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 Santa Maria?
Arroyo Grande, CA is 15.4 miles from Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria an affordable place to study nursing?
Santa Maria’s median household income of $84,617 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Maria 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.