Best Online Nursing Programs in Winter Haven, FL (2026)
Winter Haven, Florida has a population of about 52,846. The city’s median household income is $59,604 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 62 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Winter Haven, with tuition ranging from $3,366 to $27,493 per year for indexed programs. In Florida, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $197,940 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Winter Haven
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 62 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Winter Haven. Distances are calculated from Winter Haven city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | 1.5 mi | $3,366 - $12,709 | – |
| Ridge Technical College | Winter Haven, FL | 5.3 mi | $3,918 - $27,493 | – |
| Traviss Technical College | Lakeland, FL | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland, FL | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee, FL | 29.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valencia College | Orlando, FL | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Tampa | Tampa, FL | 38.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Career College-Tampa | Tampa, FL | 38.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Winter Haven
Winter Haven is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area (BLS area code 29460). 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 | $81,080 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $83,502 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,880 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $59,609 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $197,940 | FL statewide | $203,852 |
| Nurse Midwife | $47,990 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $49,423 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,140 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $126,818 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,080 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $37,158 |
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.
Winter Haven at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,846 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Polk County | 15,513 workers, 138 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Winter Haven-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Haines City, FL – 8.5 mi away (23,454 pop)
- Lakeland, FL – 15.7 mi away (286,876 pop)
- Plant City, FL – 25.5 mi away (38,200 pop)
- Kissimmee, FL – 26.6 mi away (365,099 pop)
- Saint Cloud, FL – 29.5 mi away (47,809 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Winter Haven, FL?
Our directory has 62 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Winter Haven. The closest is Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Florida Career College-Tampa (38.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Winter Haven?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Winter Haven are: Nurse Anesthetist ($197,940), Nurse Practitioner ($123,140), Registered Nurse ($81,080). 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 Haines City instead of Winter Haven?
Haines City, FL is 8.5 miles from Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven an affordable place to study nursing?
Winter Haven’s median household income of $59,604 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Winter Haven 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.