Best Online Nursing Programs in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)
Fort Wayne, Indiana has a population of about 266,235. The city’s median household income is $60,293 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Fort Wayne. In Indiana, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $233,200 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Fort Wayne
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Wayne city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vantage Career Center | Van Wert, OH | 33.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | Marion, IN | 49.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest State Community College | Archbold, OH | 50.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Four County Career Center | Archbold, OH | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is part of the Fort Wayne, IN metro area (BLS area code 23060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Indiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,690 | Fort Wayne, IN | $83,898 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,790 | Fort Wayne, IN | $66,728 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $233,200 | IN statewide | $251,836 |
| Nurse Midwife | $129,010 | IN statewide | $139,320 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,380 | Fort Wayne, IN | $134,320 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,090 | Fort Wayne, IN | $38,974 |
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.
Fort Wayne at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,293 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Fort Wayne-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Auburn, IN – 19.7 mi away (22,257 pop)
- Warsaw, IN – 38.2 mi away (32,622 pop)
- Lima, OH – 59.0 mi away (70,296 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 59.5 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Muncie, IN – 62.9 mi away (89,186 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Fort Wayne, IN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Fort Wayne. The closest is University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Four County Career Center (52.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fort Wayne?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fort Wayne are: Nurse Anesthetist ($233,200), Nurse Midwife ($129,010), Nurse Practitioner ($124,380). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Auburn instead of Fort Wayne?
Auburn, IN is 19.7 miles from Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne an affordable place to study nursing?
Fort Wayne’s median household income of $60,293 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Wayne while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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.