Best Online Nursing Programs in South San Francisco, CA (2026)
South San Francisco, California has a population of about 64,487. The city’s median household income is $135,909 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of South San Francisco. 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 South San Francisco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from South San Francisco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitek College | South San Francisco, CA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Unitek College | Hayward, CA | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merritt College | Oakland, CA | 16.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Unitek College | Fremont, CA | 27.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near South San Francisco
South San Francisco 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.
South San Francisco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,487 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $135,909 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in San Mateo County | 11,266 workers, 292 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South San Francisco-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- San Bruno, CA – 2.1 mi away (42,957 pop)
- Daly City, CA – 3.5 mi away (106,472 pop)
- Millbrae, CA – 3.9 mi away (22,661 pop)
- Pacifica, CA – 4.3 mi away (39,062 pop)
- Burlingame, CA – 5.5 mi away (30,301 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near South San Francisco, CA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of South San Francisco. The closest is Unitek College in South San Francisco, CA (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Unitek College (27.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near South San Francisco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near South San Francisco 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 San Bruno instead of South San Francisco?
San Bruno, CA is 2.1 miles from South San Francisco 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 South San Francisco an affordable place to study nursing?
South San Francisco’s median household income of $135,909 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South San Francisco 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.