Best Online Nursing Programs in Buffalo, NY (2026)
Buffalo, New York has a population of about 276,397. The city’s median household income is $48,050 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Buffalo, with tuition ranging from $33,560 to $42,512 per year. In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $238,530 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Buffalo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Buffalo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| D’Youville University | Buffalo, NY | 2.1 mi | $33,560 - $42,512 | – |
| Trocaire College | Buffalo, NY | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Erie 1 BOCES | West Seneca, NY | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Niagara County Community College | Sanborn, NY | 17.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Buffalo
Buffalo is part of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area (BLS area code 15380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New York statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,380 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $99,562 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,570 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $63,225 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $238,530 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $248,987 |
| Nurse Midwife | $146,190 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $152,599 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,430 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $139,280 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,940 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $40,647 |
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.
Buffalo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,050 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Erie County | 27,829 workers, 389 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Buffalo-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- North Tonawanda, NY – 10.0 mi away (30,607 pop)
- Niagara Falls, NY – 15.6 mi away (48,632 pop)
- Lockport, NY – 20.1 mi away (34,859 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 38.1 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Brockport, NY – 50.7 mi away (20,142 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Buffalo, NY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Buffalo. The closest is University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Niagara County Community College (17.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Buffalo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Buffalo are: Nurse Anesthetist ($238,530), Nurse Midwife ($146,190), Nurse Practitioner ($133,430). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New York statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in North Tonawanda instead of Buffalo?
North Tonawanda, NY is 10.0 miles from Buffalo 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 Buffalo an affordable place to study nursing?
Buffalo’s median household income of $48,050 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Buffalo while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New York 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.