Best Online Nursing Programs in Detroit, MI (2026)
Detroit, Michigan has a population of about 636,644. The city’s median household income is $39,575 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 66 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Detroit, with tuition ranging from $3,112 to $30,419 per year for indexed programs. In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $230,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Detroit
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 66 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Detroit. Distances are calculated from Detroit city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | 2.4 mi | $14,297 - $30,419 | – |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit, MI | 4.6 mi | $3,112 - $12,642 | – |
| Dorsey College-Dearborn | Detroit, MI | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Abcott Institute | Southfield, MI | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn, MI | 7.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dorsey College | Madison Heights, MI | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield | Southfield, MI | 10.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Detroit
Detroit is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area (BLS area code 19820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $88,980 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $88,714 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,030 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $64,835 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $230,450 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $229,761 |
| Nurse Midwife | $114,440 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $114,098 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,110 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $125,733 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,080 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,963 |
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.
Detroit at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,575 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Wayne County | 66,701 workers, 476 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Detroit-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Hamtramck, MI – 2.5 mi away (21,752 pop)
- Ferndale, MI – 5.4 mi away (20,099 pop)
- Oak Park, MI – 7.0 mi away (29,645 pop)
- Dearborn, MI – 7.5 mi away (94,444 pop)
- Warren, MI – 8.5 mi away (135,125 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Detroit, MI?
Our directory has 66 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Detroit. The closest is Wayne State University in Detroit, MI (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Macomb Community College (10.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Detroit?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Detroit are: Nurse Anesthetist ($230,450), Nurse Practitioner ($126,110), Nurse Midwife ($114,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hamtramck instead of Detroit?
Hamtramck, MI is 2.5 miles from Detroit 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 Detroit an affordable place to study nursing?
Detroit’s median household income of $39,575 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Detroit while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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.