Best Online Nursing Programs in Sarasota, FL (2026)
Sarasota, Florida has a population of about 56,218. The city’s median household income is $70,065 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Sarasota. In the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $208,600 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Sarasota
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Sarasota city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suncoast Technical College | Sarasota, FL | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | Saint Petersburg, FL | 30.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg | Saint Petersburg, FL | 30.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Charlotte Technical College | Port Charlotte, FL | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Sarasota
Sarasota is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area (BLS area code 35840). 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 | $82,850 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $80,908 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,260 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $59,824 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $208,600 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $203,711 |
| Nurse Midwife | $115,440 | FL statewide | $112,734 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,780 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $127,715 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,750 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $37,842 |
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.
Sarasota at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,218 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Sarasota County | 20,052 workers, 151 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sarasota-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Bradenton, FL – 10.6 mi away (55,687 pop)
- Venice, FL – 17.3 mi away (22,465 pop)
- North Port, FL – 28.8 mi away (190,003 pop)
- Saint Petersburg, FL – 32.2 mi away (260,999 pop)
- Pinellas Park, FL – 37.3 mi away (52,137 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Sarasota, FL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Sarasota. The closest is Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota, FL (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Charlotte Technical College (33.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Sarasota?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Sarasota are: Nurse Anesthetist ($208,600), Nurse Practitioner ($130,780), 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 Bradenton instead of Sarasota?
Bradenton, FL is 10.6 miles from Sarasota 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 Sarasota an affordable place to study nursing?
Sarasota’s median household income of $70,065 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sarasota 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.