Best Online Nursing Programs in Prior Lake, MN (2026)
Prior Lake, Minnesota has a population of about 27,832. The city’s median household income is $130,278 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Prior Lake. 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 Prior Lake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Prior Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN | 17.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN | 18.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walden University | Minneapolis, MN | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 20.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Prior Lake
Prior 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.
Prior Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $130,278 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Scott County | 1,991 workers, 57 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Prior Lake-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Shakopee, MN – 3.8 mi away (40,610 pop)
- Savage, MN – 4.3 mi away (30,807 pop)
- Burnsville, MN – 8.4 mi away (61,290 pop)
- Eden Prairie, MN – 8.6 mi away (63,914 pop)
- Bloomington, MN – 9.6 mi away (85,319 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Prior Lake, MN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Prior Lake. The closest is Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN (9.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Inver Hills Community College (20.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Prior Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Prior 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 Shakopee instead of Prior Lake?
Shakopee, MN is 3.8 miles from Prior 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 Prior Lake an affordable place to study nursing?
Prior Lake’s median household income of $130,278 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Prior 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.