Best Online Nursing Programs in Elk River, MN (2026)
Elk River, Minnesota has a population of about 26,367. The city’s median household income is $99,457 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Elk River, with tuition ranging from $6,267 to $16,662 per year. 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 Elk River
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Elk River city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN | 11.0 mi | $6,267 - $16,662 | – |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 18.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walden University | Minneapolis, MN | 28.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN | 28.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud, MN | 34.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Elk River
Elk River 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.
Elk River at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $99,457 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Sherburne County | 1,139 workers, 45 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Elk River-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Ramsey, MN – 7.5 mi away (26,206 pop)
- Monticello, MN – 11.5 mi away (26,875 pop)
- Andover, MN – 12.8 mi away (32,461 pop)
- Champlin, MN – 14.1 mi away (24,231 pop)
- Maple Grove, MN – 16.2 mi away (69,576 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Elk River, MN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Elk River. The closest is Anoka Technical College in Anoka, MN (11.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is St Cloud Technical and Community College (34.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Elk River?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Elk River 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 Ramsey instead of Elk River?
Ramsey, MN is 7.5 miles from Elk River 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 Elk River an affordable place to study nursing?
Elk River’s median household income of $99,457 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Elk River 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.