Best Online Nursing Programs in Apple Valley, MN (2026)
Apple Valley, Minnesota has a population of about 55,696. The city’s median household income is $99,277 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Apple Valley. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $233,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Apple Valley
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Apple Valley city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN | 16.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Apple Valley
Apple Valley is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area (BLS area code 33460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,240 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,557 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,310 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $59,456 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $233,030 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $222,357 |
| Nurse Midwife | $127,160 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $121,336 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,570 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $122,681 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,910 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,761 |
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.
Apple Valley at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,696 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $99,277 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Dakota County | 7,902 workers, 234 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Apple Valley-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Burnsville, MN – 4.1 mi away (61,290 pop)
- Eagan, MN – 5.2 mi away (66,428 pop)
- Lakeville, MN – 5.3 mi away (61,938 pop)
- Farmington, MN – 6.3 mi away (22,656 pop)
- Rosemount, MN – 6.6 mi away (23,911 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Apple Valley, MN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Apple Valley. The closest is Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN (6.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Minneapolis Community and Technical College (16.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Apple Valley?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Apple Valley are: Nurse Anesthetist ($233,030), Nurse Practitioner ($128,570), Nurse Midwife ($127,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Burnsville instead of Apple Valley?
Burnsville, MN is 4.1 miles from Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley an affordable place to study nursing?
Apple Valley’s median household income of $99,277 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Apple Valley while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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.