Best Online Nursing Programs in Lafayette, IN (2026)
Lafayette, Indiana has a population of about 70,650. The city’s median household income is $52,946 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. In Indiana, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $233,200 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lafayette
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lafayette city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, IN | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 55.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 56.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lafayette
Lafayette is part of the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area (BLS area code 29200). 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 | $77,340 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $82,805 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,870 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $68,383 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $233,200 | IN statewide | $249,679 |
| Nurse Midwife | $129,010 | IN statewide | $138,126 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,200 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $134,047 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,400 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $38,972 |
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.
Lafayette at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,650 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,946 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Tippecanoe County | 6,492 workers, 46 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lafayette-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- West Lafayette, IN – 4.6 mi away (45,872 pop)
- Zionsville, IN – 40.7 mi away (26,784 pop)
- Danville, IL – 43.4 mi away (48,785 pop)
- Westfield, IN – 45.1 mi away (37,221 pop)
- Brownsburg, IN – 46.5 mi away (25,408 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lafayette, IN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. The closest is Purdue University-Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Indiana University-Indianapolis (56.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lafayette?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lafayette are: Nurse Anesthetist ($233,200), Nurse Midwife ($129,010), Nurse Practitioner ($125,200). 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 West Lafayette instead of Lafayette?
West Lafayette, IN is 4.6 miles from Lafayette 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 Lafayette an affordable place to study nursing?
Lafayette’s median household income of $52,946 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lafayette 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.