Best Online Nursing Programs in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
Sterling Heights, Michigan has a population of about 133,473. The city’s median household income is $78,429 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Sterling Heights, with tuition ranging from $3,112 to $30,419 per year. 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 Sterling Heights
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Sterling Heights city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorsey College | Madison Heights, MI | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dorsey College-Roseville | Roseville, MI | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Abcott Institute | Southfield, MI | 13.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | 15.6 mi | $14,297 - $30,419 | – |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit, MI | 17.6 mi | $3,112 - $12,642 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights 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.
Sterling Heights at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,429 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Macomb County | 16,586 workers, 461 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sterling Heights-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Troy, MI – 5.9 mi away (83,641 pop)
- Warren, MI – 6.1 mi away (135,125 pop)
- Madison Heights, MI – 6.3 mi away (30,088 pop)
- Roseville, MI – 7.0 mi away (47,602 pop)
- Royal Oak, MI – 8.0 mi away (59,006 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Sterling Heights, MI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Sterling Heights. The closest is Dorsey College in Madison Heights, MI (5.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne County Community College District (17.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Sterling Heights?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Sterling Heights 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 Troy instead of Sterling Heights?
Troy, MI is 5.9 miles from Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights an affordable place to study nursing?
Sterling Heights’s median household income of $78,429 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sterling Heights 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.