Best Online Nursing Programs in Monroe, NC (2026)
Monroe, North Carolina has a population of about 35,596. The city’s median household income is $67,265 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Monroe, with tuition ranging from $2,792 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 Monroe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Monroe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Piedmont Community College | Polkton, NC | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 21.2 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
| Southeastern College-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 25.1 mi | $5,512 - $15,399 | – |
| Northeastern Technical College | Cheraw, SC | 41.1 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 Monroe
Monroe 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.
Monroe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,596 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,265 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Monroe-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Indian Trail, NC – 6.6 mi away (38,222 pop)
- Matthews, NC – 11.6 mi away (31,495 pop)
- Mint Hill, NC – 13.0 mi away (26,236 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.7 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 23.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Monroe, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Monroe. The closest is South Piedmont Community College in Polkton, NC (19.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeastern Technical College (41.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Monroe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Monroe 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 Indian Trail instead of Monroe?
Indian Trail, NC is 6.6 miles from Monroe 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 Monroe an affordable place to study nursing?
Monroe’s median household income of $67,265 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Monroe 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
Back to Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina (2026)
Return to Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina (2026)