Best Online Nursing Programs in Rochester, NY (2026)
Rochester, New York has a population of about 209,720. The city’s median household income is $46,628 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Rochester, with tuition ranging from $5,800 to $82,600 per year for indexed programs. In the Rochester, NY metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $125,600 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Rochester
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 43 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Rochester. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | 3.0 mi | $64,348 - $82,600 | – |
| Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing | Rochester, NY | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Monroe Community College | Rochester, NY | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St. John Fisher University | Rochester, NY | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Greece | Rochester, NY | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nazareth University | Rochester, NY | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | Rochester, NY | 9.6 mi | $37,504 - $49,621 | – |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, NY | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Finger Lakes Community College | Canandaigua, NY | 28.1 mi | $6,138 - $19,411 | – |
| Genesee Community College | Batavia, NY | 28.3 mi | $5,800 - $15,432 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, NY metro area (BLS area code 40380). 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 | $95,010 | Rochester, NY | $97,948 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,880 | Rochester, NY | $62,763 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | NY statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $119,270 | Rochester, NY | $122,959 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | Rochester, NY | $129,485 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,800 | Rochester, NY | $41,031 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,628 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Monroe County | 44,550 workers, 284 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Brockport, NY – 16.6 mi away (20,142 pop)
- Geneva, NY – 38.3 mi away (29,371 pop)
- Lockport, NY – 54.4 mi away (34,859 pop)
- Auburn, NY – 55.3 mi away (31,263 pop)
- Oswego, NY – 59.4 mi away (38,208 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Rochester, NY?
Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Rochester. The closest is University of Rochester in Rochester, NY (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Genesee Community College (28.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Rochester are: Nurse Practitioner ($125,600), Nurse Midwife ($119,270), Registered Nurse ($95,010). 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 Brockport instead of Rochester?
Brockport, NY is 16.6 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study nursing?
Rochester’s median household income of $46,628 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.