Best Online Nursing Programs in Shafter, CA (2026)
Shafter, California has a population of about 20,618. The city’s median household income is $67,989 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 10.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Shafter, with tuition ranging from $1,409 to $12,522 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 Shafter
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Shafter city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA | 13.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Porterville College | Porterville, CA | 40.7 mi | $1,409 - $12,522 | – |
| College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA | 58.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA | 59.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Shafter
Shafter is part of the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area (BLS area code 12540). 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 | $127,510 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $126,373 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,580 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $73,915 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $196,700 | CA statewide | $194,945 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $165,460 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $163,984 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,570 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,181 |
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.
Shafter at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,618 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,989 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 10.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Kern County | 14,558 workers, 212 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Shafter-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Wasco, CA – 12.4 mi away (26,337 pop)
- Bakersfield, CA – 12.6 mi away (567,585 pop)
- Delano, CA – 20.3 mi away (54,030 pop)
- Arvin, CA – 28.6 mi away (21,380 pop)
- Porterville, CA – 41.5 mi away (76,512 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Shafter, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Shafter. The closest is San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA (11.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia (59.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Shafter?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Shafter are: Nurse Midwife ($196,700), Nurse Practitioner ($165,460), Registered Nurse ($127,510). 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 Wasco instead of Shafter?
Wasco, CA is 12.4 miles from Shafter 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 Shafter an affordable place to study nursing?
Shafter’s median household income of $67,989 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Shafter 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.