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. Our directory has 51 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Fort Wayne, with tuition ranging from $7,504 to $17,116 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 51 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Fort Wayne. 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 | – |
| Huntington University | Huntington, IN | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manchester University | North Manchester, IN | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vantage Career Center | Van Wert, OH | 33.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trine University | Angola, IN | 38.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Defiance College | Defiance, OH | 43.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | Marion, IN | 48.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Goshen College | Goshen, IN | 48.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | Marion, IN | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wright State University-Lake Campus | Celina, OH | 50.1 mi | $7,504 - $17,116 | – |
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 schools are near Fort Wayne, IN?
Our directory has 51 accredited schools offering nursing programs near 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 Wright State University-Lake Campus (50.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
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.