Best Online Nursing Programs in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of about 470,763. The city’s median household income is $82,424 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 56 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Raleigh, with tuition ranging from $1,956 to $58,752 per year for indexed programs. 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 Raleigh
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 56 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Raleigh. Distances are calculated from Raleigh city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Peace University | Raleigh, NC | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 13.1 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 16.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | 17.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 20.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Watts College of Nursing | Durham, NC | 21.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | 29.7 mi | $40,410 - $58,752 | – |
| Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | 35.1 mi | $1,956 - $13,525 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Raleigh
Raleigh 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.
Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $82,424 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Wake County | 33,532 workers, 228 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Raleigh-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Garner, NC – 9.6 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Cary, NC – 10.3 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 11.6 mi away (40,112 pop)
- Apex, NC – 14.5 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Raleigh, NC?
Our directory has 56 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Raleigh. The closest is William Peace University in Raleigh, NC (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Vance-Granville Community College (35.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Raleigh?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
Garner, NC is 9.6 miles from Raleigh 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 Raleigh an affordable place to study nursing?
Raleigh’s median household income of $82,424 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Raleigh 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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