Best Online Nursing Programs in Rio Rancho, NM (2026)
Rio Rancho, New Mexico has a population of about 106,533. The city’s median household income is $85,755 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Rio Rancho, with tuition ranging from $1,878 to $14,710 per year. In the Albuquerque, NM metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $219,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Rio Rancho
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Rio Rancho city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | 13.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Brookline College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque, NM | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus | Los Lunas, NM | 38.6 mi | $1,878 - $14,710 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Mexico schools on the New Mexico nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho is part of the Albuquerque, NM metro area (BLS area code 10740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Mexico statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,590 | Albuquerque, NM | $93,812 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,420 | Albuquerque, NM | $56,984 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $219,420 | Albuquerque, NM | $229,759 |
| Nurse Midwife | $118,650 | NM statewide | $124,241 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,440 | Albuquerque, NM | $144,963 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,170 | Albuquerque, NM | $38,921 |
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.
Rio Rancho at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,755 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rio Rancho-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Albuquerque, NM – 12.9 mi away (759,517 pop)
- Los Lunas, NM – 33.3 mi away (66,411 pop)
- Santa Fe, NM – 47.9 mi away (110,208 pop)
- Espanola, NM – 60.9 mi away (26,195 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Rio Rancho, NM?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Rio Rancho. The closest is Carrington College-Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM (12.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus (38.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Rio Rancho?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Rio Rancho are: Nurse Anesthetist ($219,420), Nurse Practitioner ($138,440), Nurse Midwife ($118,650). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Mexico statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Albuquerque instead of Rio Rancho?
Albuquerque, NM is 12.9 miles from Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho an affordable place to study nursing?
Rio Rancho’s median household income of $85,755 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rio Rancho while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Mexico 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.