Best Online Nursing Programs in Council Bluffs, IA (2026)
Council Bluffs, Iowa has a population of about 62,564. The city’s median household income is $64,092 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Council Bluffs, with tuition ranging from $6,780 to $18,102 per year. In the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $231,090 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Council Bluffs
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Council Bluffs city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | 4.1 mi | $6,780 - $18,102 | – |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha, NE | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Creighton University | Omaha, NE | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clarkson College | Omaha, NE | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Saint Mary | Omaha, NE | 8.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs is part of the Omaha, NE-IA metro area (BLS area code 36540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,020 | Omaha, NE-IA | $88,161 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,600 | Omaha, NE-IA | $67,029 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,090 | Omaha, NE-IA | $251,458 |
| Nurse Midwife | $133,890 | Omaha, NE-IA | $145,691 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,190 | Omaha, NE-IA | $140,577 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,950 | Omaha, NE-IA | $42,383 |
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.
Council Bluffs at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,564 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,092 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Pottawattamie County | 2,862 workers, 48 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Council Bluffs-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Bellevue, NE – 7.2 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 10.2 mi away (792,463 pop)
- Fremont, NE – 35.9 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 52.3 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 79.2 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Council Bluffs, IA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Council Bluffs. The closest is Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of Saint Mary (8.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Council Bluffs?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Council Bluffs are: Nurse Anesthetist ($231,090), Nurse Midwife ($133,890), Nurse Practitioner ($129,190). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Bellevue instead of Council Bluffs?
Bellevue, NE is 7.2 miles from Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs an affordable place to study nursing?
Council Bluffs’s median household income of $64,092 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Council Bluffs while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa 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.