Best Online Nursing Programs in Grand Island, NE (2026)
Grand Island, Nebraska has a population of about 52,761. The city’s median household income is $62,439 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. In Nebraska, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $231,020 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Grand Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 90.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | 91.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Grand Island
Grand Island is part of the Grand Island, NE metro area (BLS area code 24260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Nebraska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,940 | Grand Island, NE | $92,203 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,360 | Grand Island, NE | $69,619 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,020 | NE statewide | $266,459 |
| Nurse Midwife | $133,890 | NE statewide | $154,429 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,790 | Grand Island, NE | $149,700 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,280 | Grand Island, NE | $44,152 |
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.
Grand Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,761 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,439 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Hall County | 743 workers, 21 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Grand Island-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Hastings, NE – 22.5 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Kearney, NE – 40.9 mi away (34,065 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 63.1 mi away (22,846 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 88.0 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Norfolk, NE – 91.0 mi away (26,921 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Grand Island, NE?
Our directory lists 3 nursing programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. The closest is Central Community College in Grand Island, NE (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeast Community College (91.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Grand Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Grand Island are: Nurse Anesthetist ($231,020), Nurse Midwife ($133,890), Nurse Practitioner ($129,790). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Nebraska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hastings instead of Grand Island?
Hastings, NE is 22.5 miles from Grand Island 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 Grand Island an affordable place to study nursing?
Grand Island’s median household income of $62,439 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Island while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Nebraska 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.