Best Online Nursing Programs in Cottage Grove, MN (2026)
Cottage Grove, Minnesota has a population of about 40,124. The city’s median household income is $121,452 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Cottage Grove. 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 Cottage Grove
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Cottage Grove city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 6.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove 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.
Cottage Grove at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,124 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $121,452 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cottage Grove-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Woodbury, MN – 6.2 mi away (68,820 pop)
- Inver Grove Heights, MN – 6.5 mi away (35,077 pop)
- Hastings, MN – 6.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- South Saint Paul, MN – 7.4 mi away (20,217 pop)
- Rosemount, MN – 8.3 mi away (23,911 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Cottage Grove, MN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Cottage Grove. The closest is Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN (6.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Normandale Community College (19.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Cottage Grove?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Cottage Grove 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 Woodbury instead of Cottage Grove?
Woodbury, MN is 6.2 miles from Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove an affordable place to study nursing?
Cottage Grove’s median household income of $121,452 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cottage Grove 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.