Best Online Nursing Programs in Pensacola, FL (2026)
Pensacola, Florida has a population of about 54,011. The city’s median household income is $72,699 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Pensacola, with tuition ranging from $2,348 to $15,171 per year. In the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $179,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Pensacola
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Pensacola city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis Institute-Pensacola | Pensacola, FL | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | 2.7 mi | $2,348 - $9,718 | – |
| Radford M Locklin Technical College | Milton, FL | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Okaloosa Technical College | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 34.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coastal Alabama Community College | Bay Minette, AL | 45.2 mi | $4,980 - $15,171 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Pensacola
Pensacola is part of the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL metro area (BLS area code 37860). 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 | $79,920 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $81,801 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,170 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $59,539 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $179,590 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $183,818 |
| Nurse Midwife | $115,440 | FL statewide | $118,158 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,760 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $127,697 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,700 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $36,540 |
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.
Pensacola at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,011 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,699 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Escambia County | 12,378 workers, 92 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Pensacola-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Fort Walton Beach, FL – 33.9 mi away (21,971 pop)
- Crestview, FL – 42.0 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Prichard, AL – 60.5 mi away (22,185 pop)
- Pascagoula, MS – 81.3 mi away (49,504 pop)
- Lynn Haven, FL – 93.5 mi away (20,850 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Pensacola, FL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Pensacola. The closest is Fortis Institute-Pensacola in Pensacola, FL (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Coastal Alabama Community College (45.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Pensacola?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Pensacola are: Nurse Anesthetist ($179,590), Nurse Practitioner ($124,760), Nurse Midwife ($115,440). 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 Fort Walton Beach instead of Pensacola?
Fort Walton Beach, FL is 33.9 miles from Pensacola 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 Pensacola an affordable place to study nursing?
Pensacola’s median household income of $72,699 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pensacola 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.