Best Online Nursing Programs in Elizabeth, NJ (2026)
Elizabeth, New Jersey has a population of about 135,887. The city’s median household income is $63,874 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Elizabeth. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $152,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Elizabeth
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Elizabeth city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Training Institute | Union, NJ | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Essex County College | Newark, NJ | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ | Cranford, NJ | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Best Care College | East Orange, NJ | 7.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Elizabeth
Elizabeth is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $113,490 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,790 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,800 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $64,654 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | NJ statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $138,980 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $123,428 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $152,790 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $135,693 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,810 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $42,460 |
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.
Elizabeth at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,874 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Union County | 12,283 workers, 98 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Elizabeth-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Roselle, NJ – 3.7 mi away (21,625 pop)
- Linden, NJ – 3.7 mi away (42,457 pop)
- Bayonne, NJ – 4.1 mi away (66,238 pop)
- Newark, NJ – 4.2 mi away (281,764 pop)
- Carteret, NJ – 5.9 mi away (23,992 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Elizabeth, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Elizabeth. The closest is Healthcare Training Institute in Union, NJ (4.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Best Care College (7.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Elizabeth?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Elizabeth are: Nurse Practitioner ($152,790), Nurse Midwife ($138,980), Registered Nurse ($113,490). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Roselle instead of Elizabeth?
Roselle, NJ is 3.7 miles from Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth an affordable place to study nursing?
Elizabeth’s median household income of $63,874 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Elizabeth while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey 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.