Best Online Nursing Programs in Alton, IL (2026)
Alton, Illinois has a population of about 25,430. The city’s median household income is $53,005 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 42 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Alton, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $83,476 per year for indexed programs. In the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $192,070 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Alton
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 42 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Alton. Distances are calculated from Alton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALC Institute of Technology | Alton, IL | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 15.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO | 18.8 mi | $3,660 - $12,053 | – |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | 18.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing | Saint Louis, MO | 19.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 19.6 mi | $62,982 - $83,476 | – |
| St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles, MO | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Alton
Alton is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 41180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,560 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,814 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,540 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,762 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $192,070 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $201,966 |
| Nurse Midwife | $125,080 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $131,525 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,390 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $136,057 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,820 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,820 |
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.
Alton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,430 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,005 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Madison County | 5,798 workers, 60 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Alton-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Edwardsville, IL – 11.7 mi away (25,071 pop)
- Florissant, MO – 11.8 mi away (51,776 pop)
- Granite City, IL – 12.1 mi away (28,908 pop)
- Ferguson, MO – 13.1 mi away (20,846 pop)
- Hazelwood, MO – 14.9 mi away (25,443 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Alton, IL?
Our directory has 42 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Alton. The closest is CALC Institute of Technology in Alton, IL (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lindenwood University (20.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Alton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Alton are: Nurse Anesthetist ($192,070), Nurse Practitioner ($129,390), Nurse Midwife ($125,080). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Edwardsville instead of Alton?
Edwardsville, IL is 11.7 miles from Alton 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 Alton an affordable place to study nursing?
Alton’s median household income of $53,005 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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.