Best Online Nursing Programs in Clayton, NC (2026)
Clayton, North Carolina has a population of about 28,043. The city’s median household income is $73,348 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Clayton, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $16,798 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 Clayton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Clayton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 14.4 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Wilson Community College | Wilson, NC | 31.4 mi | $2,572 - $13,807 | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 32.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 33.5 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Clayton
Clayton is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $84,870 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $86,426 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,890 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $63,024 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $226,460 | NC statewide | $230,611 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,440 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $113,483 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,320 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $133,727 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,840 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $39,552 |
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.
Clayton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,043 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,348 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Clayton-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Garner, NC – 10.0 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Smithfield, NC – 11.4 mi away (30,375 pop)
- Raleigh, NC – 16.3 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Fuquay-Varina, NC – 19.2 mi away (25,865 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 21.3 mi away (40,112 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Clayton, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Clayton. The closest is Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC (12.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne Community College (33.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Clayton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Clayton are: Nurse Anesthetist ($226,460), Nurse Practitioner ($131,320), Nurse Midwife ($111,440). 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 Garner instead of Clayton?
Garner, NC is 10.0 miles from Clayton 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 Clayton an affordable place to study nursing?
Clayton’s median household income of $73,348 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Clayton 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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