Best Online Nursing Programs in South Bend, IN (2026)
South Bend, Indiana has a population of about 102,866. The city’s median household income is $52,512 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 73 accredited schools offering nursing programs near South Bend, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $42,276 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 South Bend
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 73 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near South Bend. Distances are calculated from South Bend city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary’s College | Notre Dame, IN | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | Mishawaka, IN | 3.8 mi | $33,320 - $42,276 | – |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs, MI | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 22.1 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| Goshen College | Goshen, IN | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marian University-Ancilla | Plymouth, IN | 25.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 29.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 42.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 42.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near South Bend
South Bend is part of the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area (BLS area code 43780). 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 | $85,660 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $92,207 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,770 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $68,644 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $233,200 | IN statewide | $251,023 |
| Nurse Midwife | $129,010 | IN statewide | $138,870 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,690 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $136,372 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,760 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $40,646 |
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.
South Bend at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,512 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in St. Joseph County | 11,210 workers, 74 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South Bend-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Elkhart, IN – 15.9 mi away (147,181 pop)
- LaPorte, IN – 23.5 mi away (21,732 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 31.7 mi away (60,298 pop)
- Warsaw, IN – 37.0 mi away (32,622 pop)
- Portage, IN – 47.4 mi away (36,505 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near South Bend, IN?
Our directory has 73 accredited schools offering nursing programs near South Bend. The closest is Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Valparaiso University (42.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near South Bend?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near South Bend are: Nurse Anesthetist ($233,200), Nurse Midwife ($129,010), Nurse Practitioner ($126,690). 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 Elkhart instead of South Bend?
Elkhart, IN is 15.9 miles from South Bend 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 South Bend an affordable place to study nursing?
South Bend’s median household income of $52,512 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Bend 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.