Best Online Nursing Programs in Lowell, MA (2026)
Lowell, Massachusetts has a population of about 114,799. The city’s median household income is $76,205 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 95 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lowell, with tuition ranging from $7,140 to $50,999 per year for indexed programs. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $161,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lowell
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 95 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Lowell. Distances are calculated from Lowell city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Lowell, MA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Greater Lowell Technical School | Tyngsboro, MA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middlesex Community College | Bedford, MA | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing | Billerica, MA | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rivier University | Nashua, NH | 9.7 mi | $37,791 - $50,999 | – |
| Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St Joseph School of Nursing | Nashua, NH | 11.1 mi | $22,978 | – |
| Harmony Health Care Institute | Merrimack, NH | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashua Community College | Nashua, NH | 14.9 mi | $7,140 - $18,752 | – |
| Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill, MA | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lowell
Lowell is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,440 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $94,589 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,670 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,641 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | MA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $161,580 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $149,197 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,890 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $128,246 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,110 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $42,576 |
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.
Lowell at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Middlesex County | 52,010 workers, 606 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lowell-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lawrence, MA – 9.1 mi away (80,209 pop)
- Methuen, MA – 9.4 mi away (49,917 pop)
- Nashua, NH – 11.5 mi away (230,061 pop)
- Woburn, MA – 13.5 mi away (39,452 pop)
- Haverhill, MA – 15.6 mi away (62,873 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Lowell, MA?
Our directory has 95 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lowell. The closest is University of Massachusetts-Lowell in Lowell, MA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northern Essex Community College (17.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lowell?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lowell are: Nurse Midwife ($161,580), Nurse Practitioner ($138,890), Registered Nurse ($102,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lawrence instead of Lowell?
Lawrence, MA is 9.1 miles from Lowell 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 Lowell an affordable place to study nursing?
Lowell’s median household income of $76,205 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lowell while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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.
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