Best Online Nursing Programs in Palm Bay, FL (2026)
Palm Bay, Florida has a population of about 125,273. The city’s median household income is $67,521 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Palm Bay. In Florida, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $197,940 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Palm Bay
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Palm Bay city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Treasure Coast Technical College | Vero Beach, FL | 26.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | 43.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee, FL | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 51.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Palm Bay
Palm Bay is part of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area (BLS area code 37340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,840 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $79,840 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,090 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $58,090 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $197,940 | FL statewide | $197,940 |
| Nurse Midwife | $115,440 | FL statewide | $115,440 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,140 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $115,140 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,290 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $36,290 |
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.
Palm Bay at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,521 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.0 (at U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Brevard County | 13,941 workers, 198 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Palm Bay-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- West Melbourne, FL – 5.8 mi away (21,293 pop)
- Melbourne, FL – 8.9 mi away (81,185 pop)
- Sebastian, FL – 17.6 mi away (24,772 pop)
- Rockledge, FL – 23.4 mi away (27,068 pop)
- Saint Cloud, FL – 41.5 mi away (47,809 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Palm Bay, FL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Palm Bay. The closest is Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, FL (12.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie (51.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Palm Bay?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Palm Bay are: Nurse Anesthetist ($197,940), Nurse Midwife ($115,440), Nurse Practitioner ($115,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in West Melbourne instead of Palm Bay?
West Melbourne, FL is 5.8 miles from Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay an affordable place to study nursing?
Palm Bay’s median household income of $67,521 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palm Bay while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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.