Best Online Nursing Programs in Portage, MI (2026)
Portage, Michigan has a population of about 49,015. The city’s median household income is $79,529 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 48.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 41 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Portage, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $28,655 per year for indexed programs. In Michigan, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $234,520 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Portage
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 41 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Portage. Distances are calculated from Portage city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Medical Education Center-Portage | Portage, MI | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.8 mi | $15,298 - $28,655 | – |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute | Plainwell, MI | 21.4 mi | $8,300 - $16,152 | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek, MI | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 30.0 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| The University of Olivet | Olivet, MI | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 41.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs, MI | 42.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Portage
Portage is part of the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area (BLS area code 28020). 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 | $84,300 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $88,924 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,180 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $66,646 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $234,520 | MI statewide | $247,384 |
| Nurse Midwife | $114,940 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $121,245 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $134,599 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,570 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $41,741 |
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.
Portage at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,015 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,529 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 48.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Kalamazoo County | 10,110 workers, 75 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portage-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Kalamazoo, MI – 5.2 mi away (214,583 pop)
- Battle Creek, MI – 19.7 mi away (77,174 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 40.0 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 44.3 mi away (60,298 pop)
- Holland, MI – 47.0 mi away (101,421 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Portage, MI?
Our directory has 41 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Portage. The closest is Ross Medical Education Center-Portage in Portage, MI (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Andrews University (42.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Portage?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Portage are: Nurse Anesthetist ($234,520), Nurse Practitioner ($127,600), Nurse Midwife ($114,940). 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 Kalamazoo instead of Portage?
Kalamazoo, MI is 5.2 miles from Portage 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 Portage an affordable place to study nursing?
Portage’s median household income of $79,529 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portage 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.