Best Online Nursing Programs in Hickory, NC (2026)
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of about 43,747. The city’s median household income is $63,361 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Hickory, with tuition ranging from $2,537 to $15,625 per year. In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $226,460 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Hickory
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Hickory city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | 11.9 mi | $2,537 - $15,625 | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 30.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 33.3 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC | 39.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Hickory
Hickory is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (BLS area code 25860). 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 | $77,680 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $87,774 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,310 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $69,277 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $226,460 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $255,887 |
| Nurse Midwife | $121,490 | NC statewide | $137,277 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,520 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $136,181 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,050 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $40,734 |
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.
Hickory at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,361 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Catawba County | 1,952 workers, 43 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hickory-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 19.1 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Statesville, NC – 25.5 mi away (26,506 pop)
- Mooresville, NC – 30.0 mi away (36,543 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 30.9 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 33.7 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Hickory, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Hickory. The closest is Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson, NC (11.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gardner-Webb University (39.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Hickory?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Hickory are: Nurse Anesthetist ($226,460), Nurse Midwife ($121,490), Nurse Practitioner ($120,520). 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 Hickory?
Lincolnton, NC is 19.1 miles from Hickory 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 Hickory an affordable place to study nursing?
Hickory’s median household income of $63,361 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hickory 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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