Best Online Nursing Programs in Merrillville, IN (2026)
Merrillville, Indiana has a population of about 36,343. The city’s median household income is $64,791 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 70 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Merrillville, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $47,066 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 Merrillville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 70 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Merrillville. Distances are calculated from Merrillville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 11.1 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 14.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 18.0 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 20.6 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| CAAN Academy of Nursing | Matteson, IL | 21.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 22.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | 26.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 27.5 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Merrillville
Merrillville is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). 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 | $96,480 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $93,127 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,920 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $70,386 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $233,200 | IN statewide | $225,097 |
| Nurse Midwife | $110,090 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $106,264 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,690 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $127,114 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,050 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,450 |
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.
Merrillville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,343 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lake County | 15,775 workers, 86 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merrillville-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Hobart, IN – 3.7 mi away (28,248 pop)
- Crown Point, IN – 4.3 mi away (29,176 pop)
- Schererville, IN – 6.5 mi away (28,701 pop)
- Gary, IN – 8.3 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Highland, IN – 8.9 mi away (22,737 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Merrillville, IN?
Our directory has 70 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Merrillville. The closest is Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, IN (5.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Trinity Christian College (27.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Merrillville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Merrillville are: Nurse Anesthetist ($233,200), Nurse Practitioner ($131,690), Nurse Midwife ($110,090). 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 Hobart instead of Merrillville?
Hobart, IN is 3.7 miles from Merrillville 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 Merrillville an affordable place to study nursing?
Merrillville’s median household income of $64,791 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merrillville 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.