Best Online Nursing Programs in Laurel, MD (2026)
Laurel, Maryland has a population of about 29,594. The city’s median household income is $94,063 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 87 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Laurel, with tuition ranging from $19,405 to $73,198 per year for indexed programs. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $225,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Laurel
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 87 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Laurel. Distances are calculated from Laurel city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard Community College | Columbia, MD | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park, MD | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | 12.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | 13.3 mi | $55,834 - $73,198 | – |
| Trinity Washington University | Washington, DC | 13.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prince George’s Community College | Largo, MD | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 14.6 mi | $33,344 - $51,450 | – |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Washington, DC | 14.6 mi | $19,405 - $45,405 | – |
| Montgomery College | Rockville, MD | 15.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Laurel
Laurel is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maryland statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,800 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $93,480 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,900 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,024 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $225,340 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $206,924 |
| Nurse Midwife | $139,770 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,347 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,920 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $119,302 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,330 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $39,789 |
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.
Laurel at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,594 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,063 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Prince George’s County | 11,286 workers, 300 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Laurel-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Greenbelt, MD – 7.1 mi away (23,909 pop)
- College Park, MD – 7.8 mi away (32,275 pop)
- Bowie, MD – 11.5 mi away (58,393 pop)
- Washington, DC – 15.5 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 15.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Laurel, MD?
Our directory has 87 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Laurel. The closest is Bowie State University in Bowie, MD (7.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Montgomery College (15.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Laurel?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Laurel are: Nurse Anesthetist ($225,340), Nurse Midwife ($139,770), Nurse Practitioner ($129,920). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maryland statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Greenbelt instead of Laurel?
Greenbelt, MD is 7.1 miles from Laurel 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 Laurel an affordable place to study nursing?
Laurel’s median household income of $94,063 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Laurel while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maryland 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.