Best Online Nursing Programs in Gastonia, NC (2026)
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of about 81,632. The city’s median household income is $60,554 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Gastonia, with tuition ranging from $2,602 to $15,399 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $238,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Gastonia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Gastonia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 17.4 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| Southeastern College-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 20.2 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 24.3 mi | $5,512 - $15,399 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Gastonia
Gastonia is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $84,780 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,133 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,450 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,211 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $238,780 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $245,406 |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,420 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $139,178 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,650 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $134,275 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,580 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,651 |
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.
Gastonia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,554 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Gaston County | 2,148 workers, 71 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gastonia-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 15.8 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.2 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 20.3 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Huntersville, NC – 20.6 mi away (54,839 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 23.0 mi away (28,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Gastonia, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Gastonia. The closest is Gaston College in Dallas, NC (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is York Technical College (24.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Gastonia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Gastonia are: Nurse Anesthetist ($238,780), Nurse Midwife ($135,420), Nurse Practitioner ($130,650). 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 Lincolnton instead of Gastonia?
Lincolnton, NC is 15.8 miles from Gastonia 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 Gastonia an affordable place to study nursing?
Gastonia’s median household income of $60,554 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gastonia 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.
Related Resources
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