Best Online Nursing Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of about 59,889. The city’s median household income is $85,825 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $22,570 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $226,460 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Chapel Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Chapel Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 20.3 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 26.8 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC | 32.1 mi | $2,554 - $10,451 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,860 | NC statewide | $83,873 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,960 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $64,508 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $226,460 | NC statewide | $232,029 |
| Nurse Midwife | $121,490 | NC statewide | $124,477 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,540 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $130,676 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,710 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $39,662 |
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.
Chapel Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,889 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,825 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chapel Hill-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Carrboro, NC – 2.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Durham, NC – 8.4 mi away (400,379 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 13.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 16.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.0 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Chapel Hill, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. The closest is Duke University in Durham, NC (7.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Carolina Community College (32.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Chapel Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Chapel Hill are: Nurse Anesthetist ($226,460), Nurse Practitioner ($127,540), Nurse Midwife ($121,490). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carrboro instead of Chapel Hill?
Carrboro, NC is 2.7 miles from Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill an affordable place to study nursing?
Chapel Hill’s median household income of $85,825 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chapel Hill while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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.
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