Best Online Nursing Programs in Rochester, MN (2026)
Rochester, Minnesota has a population of about 121,638. The city’s median household income is $87,767 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Rochester. In Minnesota, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $127,180 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester, MN | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, MN metro area (BLS area code 40340). 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 | $102,580 | Rochester, MN | $112,974 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,460 | Rochester, MN | $67,687 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | MN statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $127,180 | MN statewide | $140,066 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,820 | Rochester, MN | $135,264 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,910 | Rochester, MN | $51,663 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,767 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Austin, MN – 34.3 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.8 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Winona, MN – 40.2 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Faribault, MN – 44.3 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 45.8 mi away (22,005 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Rochester, MN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, MN (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Minnesota State College Southeast (42.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Rochester are: Nurse Midwife ($127,180), Nurse Practitioner ($122,820), Registered Nurse ($102,580). 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 Austin instead of Rochester?
Austin, MN is 34.3 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study nursing?
Rochester’s median household income of $87,767 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester 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.