Best Online Nursing Programs in Portsmouth, NH (2026)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire has a population of about 22,332. The city’s median household income is $105,756 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 63.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth, with tuition ranging from $37,791 to $50,999 per year. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $161,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Portsmouth
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Portsmouth city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill, MA | 22.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Shore Community College | Danvers, MA | 33.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Harmony Health Care Institute | Merrimack, NH | 39.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rivier University | Nashua, NH | 40.7 mi | $37,791 - $50,999 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Hampshire schools on the New Hampshire nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Portsmouth
Portsmouth is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Hampshire statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,440 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $94,589 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,670 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,641 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | NH statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $161,580 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $149,197 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,890 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $128,246 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,110 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $42,576 |
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.
Portsmouth at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,332 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $105,756 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 63.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Rockingham County | 6,948 workers, 81 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portsmouth-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Dover, NH – 10.4 mi away (91,514 pop)
- Rochester, NH – 19.4 mi away (30,345 pop)
- Haverhill, MA – 24.4 mi away (62,873 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 25.3 mi away (29,139 pop)
- Gloucester, MA – 30.2 mi away (29,798 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Portsmouth, NH?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth. The closest is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus in Durham, NH (9.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rivier University (40.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Portsmouth?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Portsmouth are: Nurse Midwife ($161,580), Nurse Practitioner ($138,890), Registered Nurse ($102,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Hampshire statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Dover instead of Portsmouth?
Dover, NH is 10.4 miles from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth an affordable place to study nursing?
Portsmouth’s median household income of $105,756 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portsmouth while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Hampshire 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
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