Best Online Nursing Programs in Ithaca, NY (2026)
Ithaca, New York has a population of about 31,792. The city’s median household income is $48,617 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 70.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Ithaca. In New York, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $137,860 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Ithaca
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Ithaca city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES | Elmira, NY | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Broome Delaware Tioga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program | Endicott, NY | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program | Auburn, NY | 33.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital | Geneva, NY | 38.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Tier Career Center | Towanda, PA | 44.5 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 Ithaca
Ithaca is part of the Ithaca, NY metro area (BLS area code 27060). 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 | $103,290 | Ithaca, NY | $99,990 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,670 | Ithaca, NY | $59,700 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | NY statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $137,860 | NY statewide | $133,456 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,830 | Ithaca, NY | $126,651 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,910 | Ithaca, NY | $38,635 |
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.
Ithaca at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,617 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 70.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Tompkins County | 1,630 workers, 47 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Ithaca-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Cortland, NY – 19.7 mi away (26,907 pop)
- Elmira, NY – 28.8 mi away (65,104 pop)
- Auburn, NY – 34.0 mi away (31,263 pop)
- Geneva, NY – 37.9 mi away (29,371 pop)
- Binghamton, NY – 38.5 mi away (152,392 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Ithaca, NY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Ithaca. The closest is Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES in Elmira, NY (26.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northern Tier Career Center (44.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Ithaca?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Ithaca are: Nurse Midwife ($137,860), Nurse Practitioner ($130,830), Registered Nurse ($103,290). 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 Cortland instead of Ithaca?
Cortland, NY is 19.7 miles from Ithaca 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 Ithaca an affordable place to study nursing?
Ithaca’s median household income of $48,617 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ithaca 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.