Best Online Nursing Programs in Wake Forest, NC (2026)
Wake Forest, North Carolina has a population of about 51,199. The city’s median household income is $120,777 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Wake Forest, with tuition ranging from $1,956 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 Wake Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Wake Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 24.1 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 24.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | 25.9 mi | $1,956 - $13,525 | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 33.4 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 Wake Forest
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,199 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $120,777 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.8% | 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 Wake Forest-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Raleigh, NC – 11.6 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Garner, NC – 19.5 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 20.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 21.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Clayton, NC – 21.3 mi away (20,260 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Wake Forest, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Wake Forest. The closest is Durham Technical Community College in Durham, NC (20.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnston Community College (33.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Wake Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Wake Forest 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 Raleigh instead of Wake Forest?
Raleigh, NC is 11.6 miles from Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest an affordable place to study nursing?
Wake Forest’s median household income of $120,777 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wake Forest 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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