Best Online Nursing Programs in Forest Lake, MN (2026)
Forest Lake, Minnesota has a population of about 20,678. The city’s median household income is $89,879 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Forest Lake, with tuition ranging from $5,682 to $16,662 per year for indexed programs. 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 Forest Lake
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 39 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Forest Lake. Distances are calculated from Forest Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids, MN | 19.9 mi | $5,682 - $16,110 | – |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 22.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN | 22.4 mi | $6,267 - $16,662 | – |
| North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Forest Lake
Forest Lake 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.
Forest Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,678 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,879 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Forest Lake-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lino Lakes, MN – 8.5 mi away (21,018 pop)
- White Bear Lake, MN – 13.3 mi away (25,634 pop)
- Blaine, MN – 13.5 mi away (62,892 pop)
- Shoreview, MN – 14.6 mi away (26,548 pop)
- New Brighton, MN – 17.7 mi away (22,496 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Forest Lake, MN?
Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Forest Lake. The closest is Century College in White Bear Lake, MN (14.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (23.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Forest Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Forest Lake 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 Lino Lakes instead of Forest Lake?
Lino Lakes, MN is 8.5 miles from Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake an affordable place to study nursing?
Forest Lake’s median household income of $89,879 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Forest Lake 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.
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.